Space Power to develop in-orbit laser space tech
Space Power is collaborating with Surrey University on a project to develop the first in-orbit laser-based power beaming demonstration outside of a governmental organisation.
Funded by the £7.4m SPRINT (Space Research and Innovation Network for Technology) programme, the project will support the company’s plans to build a wireless power beaming prototype for space satellites by 2023, with full commercialisation by 2025.
The project follows on from an initial innovation voucher-funded feasibility study on laser transmission with Surrey University, and will investigate and verify the efficiency benefits that can be gained compared to sunlight.
Its objectives are to develop the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the new technology, measure the advantages of laser and sunlight and provide data to enable Space Power to design its prototype for small satellites.
Power demands are outstripping supplies as humanity finds more ambitious tasks for CubeSats, driving operational efficiency below five per cent of the total flight time and necessitating constellations of 100 satellites or more to keep up with data demand.
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