22/01/2024
The Engineer: Expert Q&A: Space-Based Solar Power
In the latest ‘The Engineer’ Q&A feature an expert panel discusses the development of space-based solar farms that beam clean energy back to earth
As the push for a carbon free planet becomes ever more urgent, global interest in space based solar power (SBSP) – a concept that promises a limitless, uninterruptable supply of renewable energy – is gathering pace. ‘The Engineer’ asked a number of researchers and engineers at the forefront of this fascinating area about the potential of the concept, progress on the key underpinning technologies, and what – in their view – the key technical challenges are to making it a reality.
Meet the experts
- Dr Nicol Caplin – Exploration Scientist, ESTEC, European Space Agency (ESA)
- Paul Febvre – CTO – Satellite Applications Catapult
- Sam Adlen – Co-CEO Space Solar