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The Concept of Unlimited Solar Energy From Space is One Step Closer to Reality

Len Rosen 77,664

Principal Author and Editor, 21st Century Tech Blog

Futurist, Writer and Researcher, now retired, former freelance writer for new technology ventures. Former President & CEO of Len Rosen Marketing Inc., a marketing consulting firm focused on...

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Jan 9, 2023Jan 7, 2023 6:59 pm GMT
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A Caltech-designed prototype satellite containing an experiment, the Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD), was launched on January 3rd of this year in what could prove to be a breakthrough for harvesting the energy of the Sun from space.

The Concept of Unlimited Solar Energy From Space is One Step Closer to Reality

Solar energy from space was first described in an Isaac Asimov short story back in 1941. It may become a reality by the mid-2030s.

Source: www.21stcentech.com

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Matt Chester on Jan 9, 2023

Is a project like this putting the cart before the horse? We're so early in the wireless power transmission tech and how it could be used on the ground that it seems like developing that to be strong and robust first would be more productive and beneficial, and then it could be used to deploy projects like these.

Julian Silk on Jan 9, 2023

Agreed.

Len Rosen on Jan 10, 2023

The Caltech prototype is the first test using conversion of solar energy to microwave with transmission to an Earth receiver. This is a proof of concept. If it succeeds and can be scaled then the feasibility of harvesting solar energy from space can become reality.

Jim Stack on Jan 9, 2023

This is true. The Solar collection can be done about 22 hours a day . Almost like 24/7 solar with no clouds or nightfall. One big added technology of this is the beaming of power to earth without transmission lines. Imagine if we could replace troublesome transmission line here on earth and beam power from one area to another with no right of way or power poles or buried lines. It would save a lot of trouble with no more iced up lines. No more huricanes or other earthy events to cut off power to large areas. Wireless power could be great.

Thank Len for the Post!

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