The Navy is Testing Beaming Solar Power in Space
upstart writes in with an IRC submission:
The Navy is testing beaming solar power in space:
There are a number of groups that are leveraging various technologies to capture some of that lost [solar] energy. One of the most common technologies being pursued is the idea of the power satellite. Recently, one of those groups at America's Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) hit a milestone in the development of power satellite technology by launching their Photovoltaic RF Antenna Module (PRAM) test satellite.
[...] Doing it from space presents a whole new set of challenges though, and not necessarily just technical ones. Dr. Paul Jaffe, the technical lead on the PRAM project, described the process of being selected for an orbital launch as equivalent to Shark Tank-numerous PIs pitching their ideas for a trip to orbit. After several years of trying, PRAM finally got its time to shine on an X-37B launch on May 17th.
[...] One other step that has to happen for commercial viability is public acceptance. When mentioning the ideas of power satellites to most people, their immediate thoughts turn to Icarus, the fictional solar weapon in the James Bond movie "Die Another Day." In that movie, the satellite melts an ice hotel and shows its potential to destroy much larger parts of the world.
Dr. Jaffe is quick to point out the differences between PRAM and Icarus. Icarus is what is known as a "directed energy platform," which the Navy is also working on, but uses different physics than the power-beaming system that constitutes PRAM. He also mentions that it would be exceptionally difficult to turn a power-beaming system into a weapon: "If you put a magnifying glass in front of your Wi-Fi router, it doesn't start melting anything."
While whatever scientists say might not assuage all public fears over such a system, the potential benefits of beaming energy might outweigh those fears. Much more work is required before companies start investing in giant rectenna farms to collect that otherwise wasted energy. But in the next few months, NRL hopes to collect some data with PRAM that will bring commercial power-beaming systems a few steps closer to reality.
Also at LiveScience and navy.mil.
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