What is it about?
Finding a consistent supply of energy is one of the most strenuous issues that humanity faces as it prepares to live and work on the moon. Batteries and surface solar panels can only go so far, particularly during the two-week lunar night. Nevertheless, recent advancements shed light on the state of the batteries after the lunar night and how we can approach them for long-term applications, and reliance on them is never-ending. However, nuclear fission is a solution but raises safety concerns and waste problems. This research investigates space-based solar power (SBSP), which involves collecting sunlight using satellites in lunar orbit and beaming it down as usable energy, as a solution to these issues. Using a systems engineering approach, beginning with data from previous and projected missions and estimating how much electricity future lunar activities will require. We then analyzed several SBSP systems (using microwaves, lasers, or mirrors) and evaluated them based on cost, scalability, and dependability. The most promising approach was a constellation of satellites that sent microwave radiation to many receivers on the lunar surface. The study also evaluated the long-term economics, finding that while initial costs are high, SBSP offers scalability and resilience that make it a strong candidate for powering long-term lunar infrastructure and industrial activity.
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Why is it important?
This effort comes at a critical time, as space agencies and commercial firms plan for a permanent human and robotic presence on the moon. NASA's Artemis and ESA's Moonlight programs seek to develop communication, navigation, and energy technologies to enable this new era of exploration. Our study is one of the first to evaluate the technical and economic viability of space-based solar power in the lunar environment. This study demonstrates how SBSP may overcome the constraints of lunar nights and severe environments, paving the way for continuous, clean electricity for dwellings, mining activities, and future lunar enterprises. It marks a step towards a self-sustaining lunar economy, as well as a blueprint for renewable energy systems that might potentially be used on Mars and beyond.
Perspectives
Writing this article has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my research journey. The guidance and support I received from across the space community reminded me that progress in aerospace is built on shared imagination and the courage to challenge limits. Through this work, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with organizations and researchers who are rethinking how humanity can thrive beyond Earth. The discussions that emerged from this study underscored how vital sustainable energy systems will be in transforming the Moon from a distant goal into a truly habitable frontier. More than anything, I hope this article encourages readers to see space-based solar power not as distant science fiction, but as a practical and empowering solution - a step toward building a self-sustaining lunar economy. Reliable energy is the heartbeat of exploration, and ensuring it on the Moon represents not just an engineering milestone, but a leap in how we envision humanity’s future in space. If this work helps ignite that sense of possibility, then it has fulfilled its mission.
Sumanth Kumar Reddy Ramala
Cranfield University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A Feasibility Study on Space-Based Solar Power for Lunar Economy, July 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-4027.
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