the emitted waves, thus demonstrating that an electromagnetic flux could transfer
energy wirelessly. In this same way, radio signals could bring energy from space
through microwaves, which are safer and less sensitive than laser to atmospheric
attenuation. Moreover, microwaves could reach the Earth with power levels –
heat – comparable to those that occur in broad daylight at equatorial latitudes.
In 2008, a team of American and Japanese researchers tested in Hawaii a microwave energy transmission between two islands 100 miles apart, obtaining encouraging results despite the low power levels.
50
Six years later, Tokyo researchers
managed to emit a power of about 10 kilowatts.
51
John Mankins, former Technical Director at NASA and founder of Artemis
Innovation Management Solutions LLC, estimates that a space-based solar power
station with a diameter of less than one mile in geostationary orbit could emit
electromagnetic waves at the frequency of 2.45 GHz – the same used by Bluetooth
devices – which could be collected on Earth by an antenna only six miles in diameter. In his book The Case for Space Solar Power, Mankins argues that solar
energy production in space is already technologically feasible and that private
entrepreneurs will soon take up this challenge. His estimates are very promising:
a 1.5-square mile space-based solar panel could produce 1 gigawatt on an 8-square
mile terrestrial antenna, with an efficiency of 19%. In 2100, the entire energy
demand for the North American population, estimated by the United Nation to go
up to 470 million people,
52
could be provided by 1,200 5-gigawatt space-based
solar power stations in geostationary orbit by placing terrestrial antennas over a
territory equal to about 3.4% of the entire US land region.
Rather than using such a large system to power a large geographical area,
smaller SBSPs could be built for specific areas or particular businesses. The small
power stations would share the power emitted from different ground stations, for
example with phased array
53
cells or with a time-sharing procedure between terrestrial antennas. This way, energy could be sent over limited geographic areas to
power airborne drones or combat troops, or to provide energy to spaceships or
outposts on different orbits.
50
https://www.wired.com/2008/09/visionary-beams/.
51
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Press Release No.1879. 2015. MHI successfully completes
ground demonstration testing of Wireless Power Transmission Technology for SSPS. https://
www.mhi.com/news/story/1503121879.html.
52
United Nations. 2004. World Population to 2300. Department of Economic and Social
Affairs.
53
A phased-array system emits impulses from different micro-elements that make up the total
panel so as to form a single wave front facing the desired direction.
94 Space Economy: A Business On the Launch Pad
energy wirelessly. In this same way, radio signals could bring energy from space
through microwaves, which are safer and less sensitive than laser to atmospheric
attenuation. Moreover, microwaves could reach the Earth with power levels –
heat – comparable to those that occur in broad daylight at equatorial latitudes.
In 2008, a team of American and Japanese researchers tested in Hawaii a microwave energy transmission between two islands 100 miles apart, obtaining encouraging results despite the low power levels.
50
Six years later, Tokyo researchers
managed to emit a power of about 10 kilowatts.
51
John Mankins, former Technical Director at NASA and founder of Artemis
Innovation Management Solutions LLC, estimates that a space-based solar power
station with a diameter of less than one mile in geostationary orbit could emit
electromagnetic waves at the frequency of 2.45 GHz – the same used by Bluetooth
devices – which could be collected on Earth by an antenna only six miles in diameter. In his book The Case for Space Solar Power, Mankins argues that solar
energy production in space is already technologically feasible and that private
entrepreneurs will soon take up this challenge. His estimates are very promising:
a 1.5-square mile space-based solar panel could produce 1 gigawatt on an 8-square
mile terrestrial antenna, with an efficiency of 19%. In 2100, the entire energy
demand for the North American population, estimated by the United Nation to go
up to 470 million people,
52
could be provided by 1,200 5-gigawatt space-based
solar power stations in geostationary orbit by placing terrestrial antennas over a
territory equal to about 3.4% of the entire US land region.
Rather than using such a large system to power a large geographical area,
smaller SBSPs could be built for specific areas or particular businesses. The small
power stations would share the power emitted from different ground stations, for
example with phased array
53
cells or with a time-sharing procedure between terrestrial antennas. This way, energy could be sent over limited geographic areas to
power airborne drones or combat troops, or to provide energy to spaceships or
outposts on different orbits.
50
https://www.wired.com/2008/09/visionary-beams/.
51
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Press Release No.1879. 2015. MHI successfully completes
ground demonstration testing of Wireless Power Transmission Technology for SSPS. https://
www.mhi.com/news/story/1503121879.html.
52
United Nations. 2004. World Population to 2300. Department of Economic and Social
Affairs.
53
A phased-array system emits impulses from different micro-elements that make up the total
panel so as to form a single wave front facing the desired direction.
94 Space Economy: A Business On the Launch Pad