China's research on ultra large space structures

[jpo234]

Not sure whether this is the right place: China researching challenges of kilometer-scale ultra-large spacecraft

Sounds exciting. China is playing the long game here. I suspect that this is for real projects starting after the 2030s.

[lamontagne]

Not sure whether this is the right place: China researching challenges of kilometer-scale ultra-large spacecraft

Sounds exciting. China is playing the long game here. I suspect that this is for real projects starting after the 2030s.

In a way, these studies were done for the US by O'Neil in the seventies?

[tenkendojo]

Not sure whether this is the right place: China researching challenges of kilometer-scale ultra-large spacecraft

Sounds exciting. China is playing the long game here. I suspect that this is for real projects starting after the 2030s.

In a way, these studies were done for the US by O'Neil in the seventies?

This is much more hardware-intensive than the O'Neil studies. They have been building a multi-billion dollar research and testing complex in Chongqing for large scale space construction (for space based solar power) since 2015, IIRC phase 1 of the facility is nearing completion.

[High Up]

Is there any more information on what might be going on in that research facilities for those that are interested in learning more?

[su27k]

Not sure whether this is the right place: China researching challenges of kilometer-scale ultra-large spacecraft

Sounds exciting. China is playing the long game here. I suspect that this is for real projects starting after the 2030s.

In a way, these studies were done for the US by O'Neil in the seventies?

More analogous to the joint NASA-DOE Solar Power Satellite study in the late 1970s, see this article for an introduction: Solar Power Satellites: A Visual Introduction

They also built some ground test hardware back then, like the "beambuilder", see this thread for details

[tenkendojo]

Is there any more information on what might be going on in that research facilities for those that are interested in learning more?

You could find more detailed info about the facility here, officially known as "Bishan Space Solar Power Plant Testing Base: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/387847616

Phase I consists of a core campus area of 33 acres, (which includes an experimental science building and a R&D platform) and a test area about 106 acres, including various test sites, a balloon platform and other facilities. It will focus on the preliminary demonstration simulation and verification of technologies such as space solar power stations, wireless microwave energy transmission, and space information networks. The article says the initial phase cost 2.6 billion RMB whereas the entire research project budget is 14.5 billion RMB.

[High Up]

Is there any more information on what might be going on in that research facilities for those that are interested in learning more?

You could find more detailed info about the facility here, officially known as "Bishan Space Solar Power Plant Testing Base: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/387847616

Phase I consists of a core campus area of 33 acres, (which includes an experimental science building and a R&D platform) and a test area about 106 acres, including various test sites, a balloon platform and other facilities. It will focus on the preliminary demonstration simulation and verification of technologies such as space solar power stations, wireless microwave energy transmission, and space information networks. The article says the initial phase cost 2.6 billion RMB whereas the entire research project budget is 14.5 billion RMB.

Thanks for the info and article! Interesting project they have going here and interested to see what actually comes of it (or more so if we hear about it)