China hails breakthrough in space solar power technologyspace solar power technology
Chinese researchers said they have built a wireless power transmission system that can beam kilowatt-level energy to multiple moving targets, according to reporting published on May 19.
The work is presented as a step toward space-based solar power stations, a technology that could eventually send electricity from orbit to Earth or other remote users.
- Space solar power has been studied since the 1960s.
- A geostationary satellite can appear fixed in the sky because it matches Earth’s rotation.
- Microwave transmission is one common method proposed for beaming power from space.
