Lunar exploration is entering a new era with ambitious plans for a long-term presence on the moon. NASA's Artemis program aims to land astronauts near the moon's South Pole as early as 2026. Countries like China and India continue to conduct robotic missions, while private companies are increasingly involved through partnerships and commercial lander missions.
One of the many challenges for spacecraft operating on the moon is surviving the harsh, two-week-long lunar night. During this period, temperatures can plummet to below -170°C, making it extremely difficult to maintain power and thermal control. Existing power solutions like solar panels and fission reactors may not be sufficient to meet the high energy demands of a permanent lunar base.
How ZEUS would provide power
An innovative approach suggests using a constellation of space-based solar power (SBSP) satellites to beam energy continuously to the surface. The ZEUS satellite constellation is designed to collect solar energy in orbit and wirelessly transmit it to the proposed DIANA lunar base at the South Pole.
The ZEUS system would work by placing solar-powered satellites in orbit around the moon. These satellites would collect sunlight continuously and convert it into microwave or laser energy. This energy would then be beamed to receiving stations on the lunar surface, powering habitats, rovers, and In Situ-Resource Utilization facilities.
Led by members of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and ASTRAEUS, research continues to overcome current energy limitations. Successfully implementing this technology would be a major step toward creating a sustainable, long-term human presence on the moon. This system would allow facilities to operate continuously, supporting long-term lunar exploration and development.
Additionally, scientists are exploring the possibility of creating solar panels using lunar dust, which could drastically reduce the cost of transporting materials to space. This involves melting lunar regolith to create glass, which is then used to build working solar panels. While these panels may not be as efficient as those made on Earth, the savings in transport costs could make them a viable option for powering a lunar base.