Helio Welcomes the New Age Space Race as Global Powers Converge on Orbital Energy

Accelerating global momentum behind Space-Based Solar Power signals growing institutional and governmental alignment around orbital power generation.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Helio Corporation commented on the accelerating global momentum behind Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP), citing recent activity across China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. commercial launch sector as evidence that SBSP is rapidly emerging as a strategic and commercially viable frontier. Recent international developments underscore a broad, cross-sector convergence around SBSP as a solution to rising energy demands driven by data centers, artificial intelligence, and next-generation industrial systems.

Why it matters

The emergence of a new global space race, not defined by flags and footprints, but by who can establish the standard for reliable, scalable space-based energy and infrastructure. Governments, academic institutions, utilities, and commercial operators across multiple continents are now converging on the same conclusion: SBSP represents both a strategic necessity and a commercial opportunity.

The details

China has reiterated its long-term plans to develop space-based solar power infrastructure, targeting the launch of its first Space Solar Power Station including a wireless power transmission test satellite as early as 2028. In parallel, Japanese researchers and commercial partners have advanced proposals for a lunar solar power ring, designed to collect continuous solar energy and transmit it wirelessly through microwaves. The United Kingdom's National Grid has launched a project to explore wireless power transmission associated with SBSP as a potential future grid scale energy source. U.S. commercial launch capability is further accelerating this transition, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk emphasizing that space infrastructure timelines are compressing dramatically.

  • In January, a conference in Beijing highlighted the role of space-based solar as launch costs decline and energy-intensive infrastructure increasingly shifts off-planet.
  • China is targeting the launch of its first Space Solar Power Station including a wireless power transmission test satellite as early as 2028.
  • SpaceX is planning to land its first uncrewed Starship on Mars as soon as late 2026.

The players

Helio Corporation

A company pioneering a new class of energy infrastructure-space-based power systems that captures solar energy beyond Earth's atmosphere and beams it safely and efficiently to the surface.

China

A country that has reiterated its long-term plans to develop space-based solar power infrastructure.

Japan

A country where researchers and commercial partners have advanced proposals for a lunar solar power ring, designed to collect continuous solar energy and transmit it wirelessly through microwaves.

United Kingdom

A country where the National Grid has launched a project to explore wireless power transmission associated with SBSP as a potential future grid scale energy source.

SpaceX

A U.S. commercial space company led by CEO Elon Musk, which is accelerating the transition to space-based infrastructure.

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What they’re saying

“Across China, Japan, Europe, and the U.S., we're seeing independent validation of the same fundamental truth-space-based solar power works, and the economics are coming into alignment.”

— Ed Cabrera, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Helio Corporation

What’s next

Helio views the accelerating global focus on orbital energy as both market validation and a signal that leadership in space-based infrastructure will define the next phase of the space economy.

The takeaway

This new age space race is being led by commercial capability, with American innovation driven by private industry rather than government reliance setting the pace. Helio is uniquely positioned within this competitive landscape, bringing a history of excellence in space-qualified hardware, systems engineering, and mission-ready infrastructure already operating in space.