Introduction: The Fierce Race for Energy Dominance
The energy hegemony battle between the United States and China has entered a new phase. Space solar power, an innovative technology, is emerging as a key factor in determining the future of clean energy leadership. In this article, we’ll explore the latest developments in this rivalry, focusing on space solar power and China’s ambitious “Space Three Gorges Dam” project, and how they could reshape the global energy landscape.
Description: A CG image depicting solar panels in space
1. The U.S. Strategy: SCSP and the Rise of Space Solar Power
In the 1950s, the Special Studies Project (SSP), backed by the Rockefeller Foundation and led by Henry Kissinger, shaped U.S. foreign policy to counter the Soviet Union. With the Soviet collapse and Kissinger’s passing, SSP’s influence waned. In 2021, the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) emerged as its bipartisan successor, supported by figures like Google’s CEO. SCSP aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in AI and emerging technologies.
In 2024, SCSP released the “National Action Plan for U.S. Next-Generation Energy Leadership,” warning that the next five years (2025–2030) will be critical for energy hegemony. The report highlights space solar power and nuclear fusion as decisive battlegrounds, cautioning that failure to secure a clean energy supply chain could cede technological dominance to China.
2. What Is Space Solar Power?
Space solar power was first proposed by NASA’s Dr. Peter Glaser in 1968. It involves collecting solar energy in geostationary orbit (36,000 km altitude), transmitting it to Earth via microwaves, and converting it into electricity on the ground. The advantages are striking: no clouds or weather interruptions, constant sunlight 24/7, and sunlight over ten times stronger than on Earth. This enables space solar power to generate 20 times more electricity than ground-based solar, eliminating the need for energy storage systems (ESS).
Description: A conceptual illustration of a space solar power station
3. China’s Ambition: The Space Three Gorges Dam
China is taking the lead in space solar power. In 2019, construction began on a test facility in Chongqing simulating space conditions, completed in June 2021. By 2023, China successfully demonstrated microwave-based wireless power transmission. The country plans to launch the world’s first operational space solar power station in geostationary orbit by 2025, dubbing it the “Space Three Gorges Dam” after the massive Yangtze River dam.
The Space Three Gorges Dam is designed to be 1 km wide with modular extensions, supported by the reusable Long March 9 (CZ-9) rocket, capable of carrying 150 tons to low Earth orbit—surpassing NASA’s Saturn V (130 tons). China aims to deploy a test version of this ambitious project within the year.
4. The U.S. Response: X-37B and SSPIDR Experiments
The U.S. isn’t standing still. In December 2023, the U.S. Space Force secretly launched the X-37B unmanned spaceplane. Previously used for military missions like reconnaissance over North Korea, Iran, and China, the X-37B’s 2020 mission included the Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR) experiment. It successfully generated electricity from solar power in space and converted it into microwaves.
The ongoing 7th mission (launched December 2023) is believed to be testing retro-directive beam control to transmit energy from space to Earth. This technology could power frontline military operations wirelessly. The U.S. is discussing plans to produce 35 GW of space solar power by 2050, enough to supply 20% of American households.
Description: An imaginative depiction of the X-37B conducting a space solar experiment
5. Technical Challenges and Future Prospects
Space solar power hinges on wireless power transmission, large-scale solar panel assembly, and cost-effective launches. Current wireless power efficiency is just 1%, but reaching 15% could make it cheaper than nuclear power (34 won/kWh vs. 72 won/kWh). SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy and Starship have slashed launch costs from $50,000/kg to under $600/kg, boosting economic feasibility.
Still, constructing 1–2 km-wide solar panels and 1 km+ antennas in space requires managing over 1,000 tons of material, necessitating multiple launches and complex assembly. Despite these hurdles, the U.S.-China rivalry is accelerating technological breakthroughs.
6. Global Trends and Korea’s Potential
The European Space Agency (ESA) is pursuing “Project Solaris,” aiming for 2 GW of space solar power, while Japan targets commercialization by 2050, with a transmission test planned for 2025. Korea’s Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) succeeded in a 1.81 km wireless power transmission test in 2024 and aims for GW-scale power by the 2050s.
Korea’s variable weather limits terrestrial solar and wind stability, but space solar power could provide a steady supply without ESS, addressing grid issues and supporting electric vehicle adoption.
Description: An imagined scene of a Korean space solar research lab
Conclusion: The Future of Space Solar Power and New Opportunities
Space solar power is no longer a distant dream but a rapidly advancing reality, driven by U.S.-China competition. As a solution to renewable energy’s intermittency, it’s gaining traction worldwide. Beyond the technology itself, innovations like wireless power transmission and robotics offer exciting opportunities. The next five years will reveal how this energy hegemony battle reshapes our world.