The History of Solar Thermal Power in Space Applications

Article

“The History of Solar Thermal Power in Space Applications” by Dylan Huss Michael L. Ciancone
Published in Quest Volume: 33 #1 (2026)

Abstract

Solar dynamics can generate large amounts of energy by focusing solar heat energy from the Sun like a magnifying glass (metallic material) onto a pipe with a heat transfer fluid, that can be connected to a turbine or other energy conversion method to produce electricity, with thermal storage to store excess heat. This contrasts with solar light energy that uses solar photovoltaic panels.
Early scientists and engineers such as Hermann Oberth, Hermann Noordung (pen name for Herman Potočnik), and Wernher von Braun published their conceptual ideas on the use of solar dynamics in space applications in science pamphlets and articles, while later development efforts published manufacturing documentation and test reports. But despite multiple technology advancement projects and ground-based testing, solar dynamics technology has never flown in space—partially due to space application challenges such as high initial cost of funding, the advancement of photovoltaics and nuclear power, and constraining mission requirements. It is still unknown if solar dynamic power systems can be applied to enable or enhance power systems on lunar or Martian surfaces.

Citation

Huss, Dylan and Ciancone, Michael. “The History of Solar Thermal Power in Space Applications.” Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly 33, no. 1 (2026): 36-56.