At 9:22 a.m. on June 17, the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft successfully launched. As planned, the three astronauts will reside in the "Tianhe" core module and stay for three months to complete multiple missions.
Previously, OFweek Solar PV Network reported that the space station's energy comes from solar cells, and this time is no exception. It is understood that the solar panels in the Tianhe core module have a single-wing area of 67 square meters, and a combined area of over 130 square meters, capable of continuously adjusting their angle during flight to ensure optimal illumination.
Meanwhile, photovoltaic energy storage, which has become "popular" in recent years, is also a standard feature of spacecraft. The space station orbits the Earth every 90 minutes and sees 16 sunrises a day, naturally including times when it is not exposed to sunlight. Therefore, it is essential to store electrical energy so that when the space station is in the shadow zone, batteries can supply power to ensure its electricity needs are met.
Of course, simply meeting the power needs of spacecraft is already a reality. Scientists' bigger vision is to use solar-powered space stations to provide electricity for Earth.
Simply put, it involves using a solar-powered space station to continuously collect electricity in space and then transport that electricity back to Earth for our use. Furthermore, solar-powered space stations are not affected by atmospheric barriers or weather conditions, allowing for longer operating hours and thus generating more electricity.
The technical challenge lies in how to wirelessly transmit electrical energy back to the ground, a challenge many scientists face. But there is no doubt that solving these problems will usher in a new era of energy supply.
