In a significant announcement made during a lecture in October 2024, Long Lehao, a leading rocket scientist, revealed China's ambitious plan to develop a space-based solar power station.

This project, often compared to a 'Space Three Gorges Dam', aims to harness solar energy from space and transmit it back to Earth, potentially transforming the global energy landscape.

Despite recent advancements in solar technology, challenges such as high costs, durability, energy transmission efficiency, and construction logistics have previously hindered similar proposals.

The concept of space-based solar power allows for energy collection in an environment free from atmospheric interferences, where solar energy is significantly more intense than on the ground.

The development of the Long March-9 (CZ-9) reusable heavy-lift rocket is crucial for this project, as it will facilitate the numerous rocket launches required for construction.

The Long March-9 rocket will not only support the solar power project but also aid China's lunar ambitions, including plans for an international research base on the moon by 2035.

The proposed solar power station would span approximately one square kilometer and is expected to collect more energy in a year than all the oil reserves on Earth, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

To launch the components of this solar array into orbit, China plans to utilize the Long March-9 rocket, which is designed to lift at least 150 tons.

China aims to deploy a functional prototype of the solar power station by 2030 to test energy transmission and structural resilience, with a full-scale rollout targeted for 2040.

If successful, this project could position China as a leader in innovative energy technologies, addressing rising energy demands and climate challenges on a global scale.

Moreover, space solar power systems could alleviate land use issues associated with terrestrial solar farms and enhance access to clean energy in remote areas.

Other nations, including the U.S., European countries, and Japan, are also exploring solar satellite technology, with Japan planning to launch a proof-of-concept satellite in 2025.