Space-based solar possible within 10 years: report
USA
PASADENA, February 15, 2024 – Space-based solar power could become a reality within the next 10 years, following a successful experiment to beam power via satellite, according to a Tuesday report in New Scientist.
The report cited Ali Hajimiri, who, together with colleagues at the California Institute of Technology, launched the Microwave Array Power Transfer LEO Experiment (MAPLE) into space in January 2023.
In June, Caltech announced that MAPLE, which uses flexible lightweight microwave power transmitters, had successfully beamed power from orbit back to Earth.
The device did not generate the power, but was able to transmit 100 milliwatts through space.
Space-based solar has several advantages over Earth-based solar, including the absence of cloud cover and night.
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