A space solar power prototype has demonstrated its ability to transmit a detectable amount of electricity through space and onto Earth. This new achievement, if implemented, would enable us to tap into a nearly limitless supply of solar power from space.
Because solar energy in space is not subject to factors like day and night, weather conditions, etc, solar panels in space would generate 8 times more electricity than thos on Earth. This would enable us to provide electricity to remote, war ravaged and natural disaster affected areas too.
The wireless power transfer was achieved by the Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment (MAPLE), an array of flexible and lightweight microwave power transmitters, which is one of the three instruments carried by the Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1).
The SSPD-1 was launched as part of the California Inststute of Technology's Space Solar Power Project (SSPP).
You can find more about this experiment here.
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Thank you,
Aarav Iyer
References:
(1) Space.com