Japan is turning to space as a new source for sustainable energy. Through its ambitious OHISAMA project, spearheaded by Japan Space Systems, the nation is taking a bold step toward revolutionizing the renewable energy sector—by capturing solar power in space and transmitting it directly to Earth.
Planned for launch in 2025, the OHISAMA satellite signifies a key breakthrough in the development of space-based solar power (SBSP), a pioneering concept dating back to 1968. The satellite will be equipped with a 2-square-meter photovoltaic panel designed to harvest sunlight beyond the interference of clouds, atmospheric dust, or the Earth’s day-night cycle. The collected solar energy will be transformed into microwave energy and beamed down to a ground receiver situated in Nagano Prefecture’s Suwa region, which extends across roughly 40 kilometers.
While the initial power output of about 1 kilowatt may seem small—enough to power a single appliance for an hour—it marks a critical step forward in demonstrating the viability of SBSP technology. Operating from a low Earth orbit approximately 400 kilometers above the ground, OHISAMA will test the ability to deliver uninterrupted, stable energy from space, free from the fluctuations that plague ground-based solar systems due to weather and seasonal changes.
The OHISAMA project is not just a scientific experiment—it’s part of a long-term strategic vision. By laying the technological and operational groundwork, Japan is preparing for a future where large-scale solar power satellites could be deployed into geostationary orbit. These next-generation satellites could each generate up to 1 giga watt of electricity—comparable to the output of a nuclear power plant—and beam that clean energy directly to Earth. This would provide a virtually limitless, environmentally friendly energy source, unaffected by geopolitical tensions, fossil fuel markets, or terrestrial weather.
What sets SBSP apart is its potential to provide consistent energy around the clock, making it especially valuable for regions with limited access to traditional energy infrastructure. In times of natural disasters or humanitarian crises, such technology could deliver emergency power to remote or devastated areas. In the long term, it could even become a cornerstone of a global clean energy grid, supporting efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Japan’s investment in OHISAMA and its broader SBSP ambitions highlights the country’s leadership in both space technology and sustainable innovation. As climate change and energy security become increasingly urgent global challenges, projects like this offer a glimpse into a future where humanity harnesses the vast, untapped power of space to meet Earth’s growing energy needs—cleanly, safely, and sustainably.
In the race to secure clean energy for the future, Japan’s OHISAMA project is making headlines—and history. By turning the vast emptiness of space into a working power source for Earth, Japan is no longer just dreaming about next-generation energy solutions. It’s making them a reality. If successful, OHISAMA could redefine how we think about renewable power—no longer limited by geography, weather, or even time of day. From a small satellite orbiting 400 kilometers above us, a new era of clean, constant, and cosmic energy may soon begin—one microwave beam at a time.
