Japan’s J-spacesystems to Launch Experimental Space Solar Power Satellite ‘OHISAMA’ with 1.4m² Panel This Year

July 26, 2026

The Energy Japan

Overview

Japan Space Systems (J-spacesystems) is set to launch its experimental Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) satellite ‘OHISAMA’ this year. The satellite, featuring a 1.4m² solar panel, will test collecting solar power and transmitting it to Earth as microwave energy. Successful validation by OHISAMA could theoretically enable future deployment of a 2.5km² solar array in geostationary orbit, supplying 1 GW of electricity to Tokyo’s power grid, thus revolutionizing clean energy provision.

In Depth

Key Findings

Japan Space Systems (J-spacesystems) is poised to launch its groundbreaking experimental Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) satellite, ‘OHISAMA,’ within the current year. The primary objective of this mission is to demonstrate the technology for collecting solar energy in space and transmitting it to Earth as microwave energy, thereby exploring the potential for future clean energy supply.

Technical & Project Details

The OHISAMA satellite will be equipped with a relatively compact 1.4 square meter solar panel. After efficiently converting sunlight into electrical energy, the satellite’s on-board microwave transmission system will beam this energy towards a designated receiving station on Earth. This technology demonstration is of paramount importance for evaluating the feasibility of space-based solar power.

Should the OHISAMA technical validation prove successful, its achievements will pave the way for the future construction of large-scale SBSPS (Space-Based Solar Power Systems) in geostationary orbit. The ultimate goal is to deploy vast solar arrays, approximately 2.5 square kilometers in size, to supply 1 gigawatt (1 GW) of stable, clean electricity to Tokyo’s power grid. 1 GW of power represents a substantial supply capacity, equivalent to a single nuclear power plant, and constitutes roughly 1% of Japan’s current total power generation. Space-based solar power holds a unique potential among renewable energy sources, as it can deliver stable electricity 24/7, unhindered by terrestrial weather or day-night cycles.

Background & Industry Context

Space-based solar power has been studied for many years in various countries, including Japan, as one of the ultimate solutions to sustainable global energy challenges. However, significant hurdles have persisted, such as the construction of massive structures in orbit, safe and efficient long-distance microwave transmission, and the establishment of economic viability. Japan has been a leading nation in SBSP research for decades, and the OHISAMA mission demonstrates its accumulated technological expertise and strong commitment to practical implementation.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The success of the OHISAMA mission will significantly advance the commercial viability of space-based solar power technology. This will not only contribute to climate change mitigation and enhanced energy security but also generate significant ripple effects across space infrastructure development and related industries (e.g., space transportation, robotics, advanced materials). While substantial technical challenges remain, this mission is expected to be a crucial first step towards making the science fiction concept of beaming power from space to Earth a tangible reality.

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