Space Scientists Beam Solar Power To Earth
Scientists from the California Institute of Technology have accomplished sending solar power from space to Earth. This discovery presents a possibility of gaining an infinite source of renewable energy.
The Caltech team used SSPD-1 to transmit power from space. This happened in January. There are three technologies onboard the spacecraft. The power was transmitted wirelessly to Earth.
The team has made a breakthrough. This means they found something new. They say it could lead to a new energy source. This energy source could be very powerful. It might be eight times more powerful than solar panels. It could work at any place on the Earth's surface.
Caltech's team led by Ali Hajimiri showcased MAPLE, Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment, to demonstrate wireless power transfer. Hajimiri is Bren Professor of Electrical Engineering and Medical Engineering and co-director of Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project (SSPP).
MAPLE has many small microwave power transmitters that are controlled by custom electronic chips made from affordable silicon technology. The transmitters work together to direct energy to different spots on Earth.
MAPLE shows how space-based solar power can work by using lightweight and flexible arrays. This means less fuel is needed to send them into space. Low-cost technologies are used to make it feasible.
Hajimiri said that MAPLE works well and can send power to space receivers. They tested this many times.
We programmed the array to target Earth and detected the energy at Caltech. We tested it on Earth before sending it to space. It survived and operates in space.
No one has shown wireless energy transfer in space before. We are doing it with flexible and light structures. We have our own circuits. It's never been done like this before!
This is something new.
There are two receiver arrays. They get solar energy. The energy turns into DC electricity. The transmitters on MAPLE get the energy. They can direct it to a place. The place is on the roof of a lab in Caltech's campus in Pasadena.
MAPLE must withstand both rocket launch and space travel. It's not sealed, so it's exposed to the harsh conditions of space. These conditions include big temperature changes and solar radiation. Soon, large-scale SSPP units will need to handle these conditions too.
Joshua S. Hill writes about climate change, clean tech, and EVs. He's been doing it for 15 years. He's a journalist living in Melbourne. He reports for Renew Economy and The Driven. His feet are his favorite way to get around.
