POWER IN SPACE
SECOND SUN TO SUPERCHARGE ANYTHING FROM SPACECRAFT TO LUNAR BASE
APPLICATIONS
LIFE-EXTENSION
Our bespoke power beaming solutions can provide supplementary energy to satellites that have endured power failure, or can simply help extend operations by providing a timely boost. A satellite which is able to run for longer becomes a satellite which can conduct a more valuable mission.
LIFE-EXTENSION
High-energy payloads like SAR, data processors and thermal imaging are extremely useful, but their power demands limit missions as the Sun struggles to generate enough power on-board the satellite. Auxiliary power sources (such as our patented LASER power beam) are needed to provide a truly on-demand service, enabling previously impossible payloads. So, by acting as a second Sun when the real one just won’t suffice our technology can help push the limits of what your satellite is capable of, whether that be in data quality or operating hours.
EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL
Power has long been a prime constraint in regard to the design of rovers, lunar bases, and other mission facilities in space. However, by offering a reliable external energy supply on demand, SPACE POWER can enable the next phase of exploratory projects, from sending rovers onto craters far, far away, to powering sparse settlements, and even assisting with asteroid mining.
ROBOTICS SERVICING
In-orbit services require close-proximity operations. Big power demands large photovoltaics, which can be dangerous and pose a collision risk. Alternative remote power solutions with high power LASERs like ours can dramatically reduce the size and weight of robotic servicing drones, increasing their manoeuvrability, efficiency and making operations safer and more achievable.
ELECTRIC PROPULSION
The in-orbit transportation industry is growing fast. These spacecraft perform best when their overall weight and the mass of their powertrains is minimized, without compromising on customer transport capacity We enable these platforms to fly faster and for longer, maximising value and minimising mission time. Moreover, emergency manoeuvres are energy intensive and sometimes come with short notice. SPACE POWER can ensure energy power is available when needed to avoid collisions and prevent critical power loss.
FRACTIONATED SPACECRAFT
Whether you’re flying modular satellites in formation, or operating a mothership-drone mission, wireless power can ensure that the hardest-working spacecraft will always have their energy topped up as and when needed. With SPACE POWER’s beaming technology solution, there’s no need to over-specify the batteries to offer redundancy of all functions all the time – instead, we can simply send our auxiliary power reserves to wherever it’s needed most.
OUR LASER IS YOUR SECOND SUN, ADJUSTED TO YOUR NEEDS
Our system can be further improved if the serviced satellite communicates its power levels. With a closed feedback loop, the laser can be tailored to your energy systems
GROUND DEMONSTRATOR
In 2022 we produced a proof of concept of our LASER power beam technology, utilizing a ground-based demonstrator (which we refer to as TeDe). TeDe is the most advanced demonstrator of its kind, and using it, we were able to show how our LASERs could automatically find and follow the trajectory of a lunar rover in order to charge the solar panel mated to its back.
The rover was successfully able to communicate back with the power tower to maximise the charging efficiency. And, as you’ll in the see video to the left, there were no issues in ensuring a constant stream of LASER coverage The lunar rover that was the subject of our test was able to communicate with our power tower in order to adjust the beam exactly to its requirements, thanks to our smart engineered light. Having done so, the rover could then carry on as intended, with full functionality.
This practical demonstration allowed us to:
o Test closed loop feedback beaming pointing & tracking system
o Test our free roam, automated power beaming tracking system
o Test the modular build allowing easily configurable new test environments
o To improve our Lunar and satellite beaming research
If you would like to learn more about TeDe, or any of the technology mentioned on our site, please feel free to contact us.
ADVANTAGES
CLASSIC LASER BEAM
SPACE POWER'S BEAM
⠀
⇩ Only works with a single type of solar array
⇩ Low efficiency
⇩ Fixed type of energy providing
⠀
Universal Power Beam past, present & future ⇧
Adapts efficiency ⇧
Adjustable, based on the solar array needs ⇧
+ HOW IT WORKS +
SOLAR CELL TYPES
Clusters of solar panels grouped together to power satellites are often referred to as a solar array. Their job is to absorb the energy of the sun to convert it into power, and they do so by reacting to light. In physical terms, light is represented as photons. Solar arrays light photons can have different frequencies from 380nm to 780nm. So, if the solar panels in your satellite’s array are incompatible with a certain frequency, this light will bounce back off the panel and energy will not be gained from it.
So, why might a solar panel be incompatible with a particular light frequency? Well, the answer is to do with solar junctions. Essentially, the more junctions a solar panel has, the greater its ability to absorb energy from light across the frequency spectrum. Unfortunately, conventional LASER beaming is only able to work with a small part of the spectrum.
That is where our technology comes in. With our engineered light, we can optimise the way light is absorbed by your solar arrays. Effectively creating a universal beam of energy, directed at your solar arrays.