Space-Based Solar Power Beams Energy to Earth in Breakthrough Test

Overview Energy has taken a major step forward in space-based solar power. The company recently completed a test where an aircraft beamed power to the ground using a near-infrared laser. This technology could one day deliver clean electricity from orbit to existing solar farms on Earth. The test involved transmitting several thousand watts of power from an aircraft flying at 5,000 metres. The laser used was low intensity and passively safe, addressing potential safety risks. Unlike other space solar concepts, Overview Energy’s system sends energy directly to terrestrial solar facilities, making it easier to integrate with current infrastructure.

The company plans to launch its first demonstration satellite in early 2028 as part of SpaceX’s Bandwagon-7 mission. This will be a low Earth orbit test before moving to operational spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. The first of these larger satellites is set for launch in 2030.

Each operational spacecraft will generate at least a megawatt of electricity using large deployable solar arrays. Instead of building bigger satellites, the company aims to mass-produce smaller units that can launch on various rockets. Near-infrared lasers, more efficient than microwaves, allow for smaller transmission antennas. Overview Energy’s goal is to supply competitive, carbon-neutral electricity to the grid by the 2030s. The company expects its technology to match the cost of other renewable sources. If successful, this approach could provide a new way to generate clean energy from space.