Space Solar Prototype Beams Power Wirelessly to Earth Presenting Potential Limitless Energy

Photo Source - Google

A space solar power prototype has successfully demonstrated its ability to wirelessly beam power through space and direct a detectable amount of energy toward Earth.

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This experiment confirms the potential of tapping into an almost limitless supply of solar power from space, which is available without interruptions from factors like day and night cycles, cloud cover, or weather conditions.

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Space-based solar harvesters can harness up to eight times more power compared to solar panels on Earth's surface.

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The Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment (MAPLE) is responsible for the wireless power transfer, using a flexible and lightweight array of microwave power transmitters.

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The Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1), carrying MAPLE, was launched in January 2023 as part of the California Institute of Technology's Space Solar Power Project (SSPP).

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The primary goal of the SSPP is to harvest solar power in space and transmit it to Earth's surface.

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MAPLE successfully transmitted power to receivers in space and could be programmed to direct energy toward Earth.

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Beaming solar power from space offers an economical way for countries to significantly boost their energy supply.

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Sunlight at the top of Earth's atmosphere is approximately ten times more intense than at the surface, making high orbit an ideal location for continuous solar power absorption.

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