The quest for sustainable and renewable energy has recently been a cornerstone of human progress. Traditional, earth-based renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, have expanded their global market share. Simultaneously, advances in space technology have given rise to the concept of space-based power generation, which proposes capturing solar energy in space where the sun always shines and transmitting it to Earth.

Space-based solar power (SBSP) theoretically offers an unlimited, constant, and environmentally friendly power source, free from the intermittency problems of earth-based renewable energy. However, its practical implementation faces significant challenges today, including technical issues, high costs, and the absence of a regulatory framework.

Given these circumstances, it raises the intriguing question: Will there be a year in the next 50 years when the percentage of renewable energy capacity directly supported by space-based power generation systems is greater than that supported by earth-based power generation systems? The answer could greatly influence global energy policy, technological investment, and environmental sustainability.