Is Space Technology the New Solution to Climate Change?

Space firms Earthwave, SpaceSolar and Thales Alenia Space explore sustainable energy solutions from beyond Earth.

Satellites orbiting Earth —more than 150 of them — are tracking vital signs of our planet. These sophisticated devices are crucial for monitoring global warming and keeping the world on track with the Paris Agreement.

Space-based technology is essential for observing key climate change indicators, including:

• Ocean temperatures
• Rising sea levels
• Deforestation
• Emission levels
• Natural disaster forecasts

The role of solar power

Solar panels, which convert natural and artificial light into renewable energy, are a key solution for reducing greenhouse emissions.

Since they rely on light and are recyclable, they help improve air quality by eliminating harmful chemical processes and leaving a smaller carbon footprint.

Solar panels work by gathering light energy via a system of mirrors, which convert it into high-frequency radio waves.

These waves are transmitted to a receiver on Earth, where they generate electrical energy.

The idea of placing solar panels in space makes perfect sense. In orbit, they are much closer to the Sun, giving them access to an abundant and uninterrupted energy source.

This approach is both practical and incredibly powerful, providing a vast amount of sustainable energy far beyond the capacity of Earth-based methods.

Can space technology drive sustainability?

SpaceX, a company valued at US$200bn, believes space technology could play a vital role in fighting climate change.

The company's cutting-edge designs in spacecraft, manufacturing and operations have dramatically reduced the cost of launches and accelerated space commercialisation.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, says: “Climate change is the biggest threat that humanity faces this century, except for AI. This view is shared by almost everyone who’s not crazy in the scientific community."

The average residential solar panel produces between 250 and 400 watts per hour, showing the potential of space-based systems to generate far more energy.

Earthwave: Using satellite data to aid sustainability

Since the dawn of space exploration, companies and governments have been leveraging space technology to mitigate global warming.

Earthwave, a data science firm, specialises in using satellite data to anticipate and reduce the impact of climate change. The company uses artificial intelligence to refine the accuracy of satellite data.

Earthwave has led several major projects, including:

• CryoTEMPO-EOLIS: Developing high-res altimetry products using CryoSat-2 data
• DeepESDL: Working on the European Space Agency’s Deep Earth System Data Laboratory
• Digital Twin Antarctica: Contributing to ESA's Digital Twin Precursor of Antarctica project
• 4D Earth Experience: A visualisation tool that highlights environmental changes.

Earthwave uses multiple datasets to track changes in land surfaces, ice caps and sea levels. For instance, its satellite data provides critical insights into the rapid melting of ice caps in the Arctic.

The Arctic is melting at twice the global average rate, and Earthwave has been focusing on understanding how ice-ocean interactions are influencing Antarctica's glaciers and ice shelves.

SpaceSolar: Unlocking renewable energy in space

UK-based SpaceSolar aims to accelerate net-zero goals and enhance energy security by launching solar-powered satellites.

By sending a solar power station into orbit, SpaceSolar will convert sunlight into sustainable energy.

This energy solution is truly unlimited, given the continuous exposure to sunlight.

SpaceSolar’s bold plan is to deliver scalable, affordable and sustainable energy within 12 years, reducing the need for Earth-bound power sources.

The company is developing a satellite-based solar power station called CASSIOPeiA, which stands for Constant Aperture, Solid-State, Integrated, Orbital Phased Array.

The system aims to:

• Capture solar energy from space, where sunlight is more intense and uninterrupted
• Deliver constant, clean energy as the satellite rotates with Earth’s orbit.

Thales Alenia Space (TAS): Pioneering space solutions

TAS is a major global player in space technology, delivering cutting-edge solutions for more than 40 years.

With three UK sites, TAS supports:

• Telecommunications
• Navigation
• Earth observation
• Environmental management
• Space exploration and science

TAS has been pivotal in 11 of the 12 Copernicus missions led by the European Space Agency.

These missions focus on tracking climate change and monitoring extreme weather conditions and natural disasters.

To aid in these efforts, TAS builds satellites equipped with imaging spectrometers and radar altimeters that record climate shifts, severe weather and disaster risks.

The company's recent achievement was the launch of the TAS Arctic weather satellite, which monitors weather patterns and climate activity in the Arctic.

What’s next for space-driven climate solutions?

Space technology is increasingly recognised as a key tool in combating climate change, providing both clean energy and critical environmental data.

As companies and governments continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, their technologies offer a promising path toward addressing global warming.

With ongoing innovation, space technology will play a central role in achieving global net-zero targets, supporting a sustainable and energy-secure future for the planet.

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