Alpha Insights, Performance by Design: The Future of PCB Manufacturing in the Midwest
Happy’s Tech Talk #43: Engineering Statistics Training With Free Software
It’s Only Common Sense: Stop Whining About the Market—Outwork It
Japan’s OHISAMA Project Aims to Beam Solar Power from Space This Year
July 14, 2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Japan could be on the cusp of making history with its OHISAMA project in its quest to become the first country to transmit solar power from space to Earth, The Volt reported.
Developed by Japan Space Systems, the ambitious initiative seeks to harness the sun’s energy in space and beam it back to Earth, potentially revolutionizing the generation and distribution of clean energy. The project aims to be operational later this year, and if successful, the landmark project could see space-based solar power (SBSP) as an additional source of clean, continuous electricity.
The plan is to launch a 180-kilogram satellite into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 400 kilometers. Equipped with a 2-square-meter photovoltaic (PV) panel, the satellite will convert solar energy into electricity, store it in onboard batteries, and then beam it as microwave energy to a receiving station on Earth.
Although the system will transmit only 1 kilowatt—enough to power a small appliance — at the April 2024 International Conference on Energy from Space in London, Japan Space Systems adviser Koichi Ijichi said, “This mission marks a pivotal step towards realizing space-based solar power stations that could provide clean energy irrespective of weather conditions on Earth,” Space.com reported.
A January 2024 NASA report raised concerns about cost and excessive greenhouse gases produced by rockets launching assemblies into orbit, which the report stated could threaten to tip the scales, making SBSP much less climate-friendly than Earth-based technologies.
However, RatedPower reported that advances in launch vehicles, solar panels, and wireless transmission could gradually make SBSP viable, given that orbital systems can generate up to 13 times more energy than ground-based panels, potentially matching the output of nuclear plants.
Japan hopes OHISAMA will pave the way for future gigawatt-scale SBSP systems to deliver around-the-clock, weatherproof renewable power from space.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Thales Alenia Space Inaugurates State-of-the-art Space Smart Factory
10/08/2025 | ThalesThales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has inaugurated its Space Smart Factory in Rome with a ceremony attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The factory — one of Europe’s largest intelligent, digital, reconfigurable manufacturing facilities — is located at the Tecnopolo Tiburtino high-tech innovation hub in Rome.
Firefly Aerospace Announces Strategic Acquisition of SciTec to Advance National Security Capabilities
10/07/2025 | Firefly AerospaceFirefly Aerospace, a market leading space and defense technology company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SciTec, Inc., a leader in advanced national security technologies, for approximately $855 million through a combination of $300 million in cash and $555 million in Firefly shares issued to SciTec owners at a price of $50 per share.
UK Space Agency Goes Global with 23 New Projects
09/30/2025 | UK Space AgencyA new batch of 23 projects will strengthen international space partnerships, develop national capabilities and boost economic growth, the UK Space Agency announced.
Space Forge Inc. and United Semiconductors LLC Partner to Develop the Supply Chain for Space-grown Semiconductor Materials
09/29/2025 | Space Forge Inc.Space Forge Inc., the advanced materials company revolutionizing semiconductor manufacturing in space, has announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Semiconductors LLC, a leading specialist in bulk crystal growth of III-V semiconductor compounds. The agreement formalizes the ongoing collaborative efforts that started over a year ago, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between the two companies.
BAE Systems-built Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and SWFO-L1 Spacecraft Successfully Launch
09/29/2025 | BAE SystemsBAE Systems is celebrating the successful launch of two spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, supporting vital NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) space weather missions.