A space solar power prototype has achieved a significant milestone by successfully beaming power wirelessly through space and directing a measurable amount of energy toward Earth for the first time.
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| Scientists Beam Solar Power from space to earth First Time Ever |
The experiment, known as SSPD-1 (Space Solar Power Demonstration-1), demonstrates the feasibility of harnessing abundant solar energy from space.
MAPLE, developed by a team led by Ali Hajimiri at Caltech, has shown its capability to transmit power to receivers in space and direct energy towards Earth.
This achievement confirms that the technology can survive the journey to space and operate effectively. For space solar power to become a viable solution, energy transmission arrays need to be lightweight, foldable for rocket transport, and based on low-cost technology.
The successful demonstration of this prototype marks a significant step forward in tapping into the virtually unlimited power of the sun and opens up exciting possibilities for space-based energy generation.