CHINA intends to start construction on the world’s first space-based power station in 2028.

The revised plans were revealed in a journal article published recently in Chinese Space Science and Technology.

A trial satellite will be launched into orbit in 2028 to test the technology.

According to the South China Morning Post, the satellite will “convert solar energy to microwaves or lasers and then direct the energy beams to various targets, including fixed locations on Earth and moving satellites.”

NASA proposed a similar project about two decades ago, but it never materialized.

Meanwhile, the UK government has funded its own research in the hope of having a similar version in orbit by 2035.

The United Kingdom has conducted research on space-based solar power.

Such satellites have been found to receive sunlight 99 percent of the time, if not more.

According to research, orbiting power plants may be able to transmit energy to Earth at any time of day or night.

Regardless of the weather, energy could be transmitted at any time of year.

However, a number of challenges remain, particularly in the field of engineering.

According to Professor Dong Shiwei, the author of the Chinese paper, an antenna thousands of miles long would be required.

Wind, gravity, and satellite movement can all affect and impede energy transmission.

If everything goes as planned, China hopes to launch another more powerful plant in 2030.