China team mulls hitting typhoons with an energy beam from space

South China Morning Post

by Ling Xin

March 3, 2026

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China team mulls hitting typhoons with an energy beam from space

China is exploring an ambitious space-based solar power project that could not only revolutionize clean energy production but also potentially alter the course of extreme weather events like typhoons. Scientist Duan Baoyan, a leading figure in China's "Zhuri" project, suggests that microwave beams generated by a space-based solar station could be directed to manipulate moisture in storm systems, thereby influencing typhoon intensity and trajectory. This groundbreaking concept highlights the potential for space technology to address both energy needs and environmental challenges. The Zhuri project envisions building a kilometer-scale circular solar power station in geostationary orbit, capable of generating gigawatt-level electricity. Since its inception in 2013, Duan's team has made significant strides in developing the technology, including constructing a 75-meter-tall test tower to simulate the entire process on Earth—from tracking the sun and concentrating light to converting energy into microwaves and transmitting it over distances. Their recent advancements include achieving "one-to-many transmission," enabling a single microwave transmitter to power multiple moving receivers simultaneously. Beyond its potential to combat typhoons, the space-based solar station could serve as a reliable power source for satellites, space stations, and deep-space probes. This technology could extend operational capabilities for future space missions, including lunar bases and space internet networks. Duan emphasizes that such innovations are particularly relevant in Asia, where extreme weather events like typhoons are on the rise. The project's long-term vision includes a kilometer-scale solar power station orbiting Earth at 36,000 km (22,370 miles), capable of generating gigawatt-level electricity. This initiative underscores China's

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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 3/3/2026