Power From Orbit: The Rise of Space-Based Solar Energy
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In Episode 4, host Alain Gavin sits down with Sam Adlen, CEO of Space Solar, to explore how beaming energy from orbit could redefine the future of clean power, defence resilience, and national sovereignty.
🔸 From Vision to Engineering Reality: Once a sci-fi concept, space-based solar power (SBSP) is now entering practical deployment. Space Solar is developing satellite systems that harvest energy in space and beam it wirelessly to Earth using safe, low-intensity microwaves.
🔸 Why It Matters: Unlike wind or terrestrial solar, SBSP delivers 24/7 clean base-load power — no clouds, no night, no intermittency. It could stabilise national grids, power data centres, and provide energy anywhere on Earth.
🔸 Strategic Advantage: For defence and security, SBSP offers a game-changing capability: instant, cable-free energy for forward bases, drones, and remote operations — reducing reliance on vulnerable fuel convoys and enabling energy independence in contested regions.
🔸 Global Race for Energy Dominance: The US, China, Japan, and the UK are accelerating programs to build orbital power stations. The UK, through Space Solar, leads in microwave system design and policy momentum, while the US and Japan advance wireless power and laser-based systems.
🔸 Investment Outlook: With falling launch costs (driven by SpaceX’s Starship) and modular satellite designs, SBSP is becoming economically viable. Space Solar projects up to 50x returns within six years, as governments and investors converge on the next frontier of clean, dual-use infrastructure.
As Sam Adlen puts it:
“We’re not just changing how we generate power — we’re changing where power comes from.”
🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover how space-based solar power could become the next great leap in global energy and defence strategy.

🎧 Listen now:
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