Virtus Solis, an American startup founded by former SpaceX rocket engineer John Bucknell, is set to revolutionize space energy production with the help of SpaceX’s Starship rocket. The company aims to use the rocket to launch one-kilometer wide solar cells into space, which will assist in generating and transmitting electricity.
The concept of transmitting solar power from space was first introduced by Virtus Solis at the International Conference on Space Energy in London in mid-April. The presentation, reported by Space on April 30th, highlighted the potential for SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology to reduce the cost of launching goods into space. With the promise of the Starship rocket reducing launch costs to $10 USD per kilogram, Virtus Solis believes that solar power from space will become more affordable and accessible than traditional power sources like nuclear or coal power plants on Earth.
Currently, solar power on Earth is one of the most affordable energy sources at less than $30 per megawatt-hour. However, Bucknell envisions a future where solar power from space will be even cheaper and more efficient. To achieve this goal, Virtus Solis plans to construct giant solar panels that are one kilometer wide using robots assembled from 1.6-meter-wide modules. The company aims to transport hundreds of these modules using the Starship rocket to the Molniya orbit, which orbits the Earth at altitudes ranging from 800 km to 35,000 km. By doing so, Virtus Solis hopes to have a megawatt-level commercial solar power plant operational by the year 2030.
Overall, Virtus Solis’ initiative represents a significant step forward in space energy production and could pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future for both Earth and space exploration.
