Spaceborne solar power is one of the possibilities for energy production.

"CASSIOPeIA is a concept of a space-based solar power plant developed by the U.K.-based International Electric Company. (Image credit: International Electric Company) (Space.com/Can space-based solar power really work? Here are the pros and cons.)

The solar-power satellites are causing discussions about their role as effective energy solutions. 

Many facts support those systems. But there are also counter-arguments against those systems. The biggest problem with large-scale space structures is that they harvest micrometeorites. 

So the energy satellite requires some kind of protective system against those threats. But the self-installing materials that are large groups of robots that are docking together can solve the installation problem. 

Those power satellites can deliver energy 24/7 without pollution. They can deliver energy to electric-powered airplanes that use ion, or electric turbines. Those satellites can be far above other satellites, and they can use highly accurate micro- or radiowaves to deliver energy to the ground. And the size of those satellites could be enormous. 

There is nothing so big sent to the orbiter before them. And nobody has the experience to build those power satellites. But the satellites could be safe against conflicts on the ground. And that is one of the things that are causing discussion. The power satellites can also be weapons in future conflicts. High-power microwaves or radio waves can destroy targets on the ground. Or they can use it against other satellites. 

The power satellites can also deliver energy to drone swarms. And their energy transmits systems can act as very high-power radars and communication tools. So those satellites can be multipurpose tools. If we think that transferring solar power to micro- or radio weaves has poor efficiency, we must remember that solar power is free. But sending those satellites to orbiter costs money. 

"European aerospace firm Airbus recently conducted a ground-based wireless power transmission demonstration that tested technologies that could be used for delivering space-based solar power in the future. (Image credit: Airbus)" (Space.com/Can space-based solar power really work? Here are the pros and cons.)

The AI-controlled swarm of small spacecraft can form self-assemble structures in space. Those structures are like traditional tube-based racks, but each part of those structures is an independently operating robot that can take any place in that structure. 

When Boeing inc. made the first energy satellite plans in the 1970s there were no materials or other things. That can make large enough satellites. Then modular construction is developed. The system can use structures that can assemble themselves automatically. The idea is that the power satellites are forming a large group of smaller space systems. That means the tube structure. 

That forms the satellite's body can form miniature spacecraft that dock themselves at certain points of that structure. That means all parts of those structures are independently operating small spacecraft that the AI drives to certain places. 

And then solar panels can be the origami structures that can open at the orbiter. The miniature shuttles with extremely long manipulators and man-shaped robots can operate with those systems and assemble the parts that cannot connect automatically to the right places. 

https://www.space.com/space-solar-power-pros-cons