Launching a satellite into space to capture energy from the sun is a bold enough idea.
But, in this increasingly interconnected world, global politics and business trends are representing a growing challenge to researchers and financial backers in this market.
From a cost perspective, it might be best for a company or government body to build a launching facility on a Pacific island near the equator, says Philip Chapman, a former Nasa scientist who is a proponent of this movement. Yet, he warns, "it'll also give that organisation or country strong advances of military uses in space".
"There are issues here about national security," says Mr Chapman.
Assuming space-based solar farms do become a reality, many questions remain unanswered, such as which countries would control the programmes?
With deep cuts made to Nasa's budget in recent years, the United States certainly does not have this market locked down.
Meanwhile, growing space initiatives based in Asian countries such as China and India represent a new shift that had not been considered back in the 1960s and 1970s, when space-based solar satellites first became a topic of serious discussion.
"China has shown strong interest, and made overtures with India, to make a joint programme on solar powered satellites," says Mr Chapman.
Indeed, last year, the China Academy of Space Technology proposed collaborating with space officials from India.
At the same time, there are numerous business concerns investors want addressed before they agree to back expensive projects. If ownership of a solar-based satellite - or a group of them - came down to a single company, or a consortium of businesses, how would the technology enhance or compete with existing solar energy providers here on Earth?
To address some of these issues, scientists say they are working with a mix of both government bodies and private sector enterprises while seeking funding from each.
They also note space-based solar would complement - but not replace - energy that harnesses the sun but is produced here on earth. Many of their reports, though, do push terrestrial solar as a replacement for fossil fuels or nuclear power.
"People have looked over the years at both solar power and nuclear power but in the inner solar system where the sun shines pretty much constantly, solar energy makes almost an almost unbeatable option," says John Mankins, the president of Artemis Innovation Management Solutions, a consultancy firm.
Given their stance in this market, it has been difficult over the past few decades for proponents to convince some private businesses to invest in the idea.
One key may be to approach satellite manufacturers the same way automotive makers link to parts suppliers. By building a broader ecosystem, there may be more parties interested in having space-based solar satellites take off.
"If you look at the infrastructure you have a few big players like Mitsubishi and Battelle, and you have a large number of companies that build piece parts - like Ford - and then hundreds of companies with parts," says Mr Mankins.
"Here you'd have no more than six to 10 basic pieces, and each of those would have components."
business@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
UAE%20SQUAD
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE