Space Solar Power Laser Risks: Why China's Energy Dream Could Zap Nearby Satellites

The dream of infinite clean energy from orbit just hit a high-voltage reality check. According to the South China Morning Post, a new study from China warns that powerful lasers used to beam energy back to Earth could accidentally strike and disable other satellites in the increasingly crowded low-Earth orbit.

Analyzing Space Solar Power Laser Risks

A team from the Beijing Institute of Satellite Environment Engineering detailed their findings in the January 2026 issue of the journal 'High Power Laser and Particle Beams'. They've identified that tracking errors or malfunctions could lead to laser beams hitting nearby spacecraft instead of their designated terrestrial receivers.

Such accidental strikes aren't just minor glitches; they can cause electrical discharges and abnormal currents in a satellite's systems. These events could overheat solar panels and fry sensitive on-board electronics, forcing immediate emergency shutdowns and potentially rendering multi-billion dollar assets useless.

The High-Stakes Race for Orbital Energy

While the idea dates back to the 1960s, recent breakthroughs in reusable rockets and lightweight materials have turned space-based solar power (SBSP) into a strategic priority. The United States currently holds a slight edge, thanks to a 2023 prototype by Caltech that successfully demonstrated power beaming in orbit.

However, China's aggressive push to lead the sector highlights the dual-use nature of these technologies. As more nations—including Japan and those in Europe—join the fray, the orbital lanes are getting busier, making the risk of "friendly fire" from high-energy laser beams a serious technical and geopolitical concern.