Toward a Lunar Solar Belt A Feasibility Analysis for Space-Based Solar Collection and Transmission

Title: Toward a Lunar Solar Belt: A Feasibility Analysis for Space-Based Solar Collection and Transmission Author: Vrushabhraj Tanawade, Affiliation: MCRD Lab, MountBay Energy LLC Keywords: Lunar Solar Belt; space-based solar power (SBSP); in-situ resource utilization (ISRU); microwave power transmission; autonomous robotics; orbital energy relay; lunar infrastructure; energy geopolitics This manuscript provides an extensive feasibility analysis of the Lunar Solar Belt (LSB)—a space-based solar power concept for the Moon to Earth space profile designed to provide continuous and environmentally sustainable energy supply to Earth through power collection on the Moon. This paper here evaluates major technological enablers, such as in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), lunar robotics for self-automated infill of outpost as well as of lunar telescope elements, regolith derived photovoltaics, or phased-array microwave transmission. It presents a new three-stage energy relay system with lunar-based transmitters, geostationary orbital relays, and ground-based rectenna farms. From a systems point of view, this approach combines technical, environmental, economic and policy analysis. Crucially, it suggests an international governance model—the Earth-Moon Energy Accord (EMEA)—in order to guarantee non-discriminatory access, regulatory predictability, and international cooperation on the utilization of solar power from the Moon. That is, with a conservative EROI of 8:1 and the incremental reduction in launch costs and possible lunar industrial self-replication, the LSB is not just technically achievable but economy-transforming.