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The future is here! Scientists have beamed power from space to the Earth!
An experiment - which was successfully demonstrated on Earth - was launched into space in January. It uses solar collectors and a microwave system to beam power down to the planet, and they have been successful!
The part that I especially loved was that it was beamed to a receiver on the roof of the "Gordon and Betty Moore Laboratory of Engineering on Caltech’s campus in Pasadena." Sadly, Gordon Moore passed away about a month ago. It would have been so awesome if he'd been around to see it happen!
One thing that I wish the article had addressed, and perhaps future articles will as this one was kinda scant on details, is what is the transmission efficiency and how well do they expect it to scale up. Solar panels have enjoyed great improvements in efficiency in the last few years, and obviously they're more efficient in space. Inquiring minds want to know!!!
https://gizmodo.com/scientists-beam-space-based-solar-power-earth-first-tim-1850500731
The part that I especially loved was that it was beamed to a receiver on the roof of the "Gordon and Betty Moore Laboratory of Engineering on Caltech’s campus in Pasadena." Sadly, Gordon Moore passed away about a month ago. It would have been so awesome if he'd been around to see it happen!
One thing that I wish the article had addressed, and perhaps future articles will as this one was kinda scant on details, is what is the transmission efficiency and how well do they expect it to scale up. Solar panels have enjoyed great improvements in efficiency in the last few years, and obviously they're more efficient in space. Inquiring minds want to know!!!
https://gizmodo.com/scientists-beam-space-based-solar-power-earth-first-tim-1850500731