As a company, we’ve spent half a decade devising a solution to the space industry’s energy shortfalls. Now, with our engineered power, based around patented laser technology, we’re ready to take action. Here’s a peak behind the curtain; a look at why our solutions are worth investing in.
Why are we so passionate about our engineered power? Well, to put it simply, it’s exactly what the space industry is crying out for.
As you may have already heard, spacecraft of all forms are currently too dependent on the Sun for energy. On the face of it, that doesn’t sound too alarming: the Sun is, after all, an ever-present fixture of space. The day when that’s no longer the case, well, satellite charging will be the least of our problems! However, just because the Sun is always there, doesn’t necessarily mean that satellites and other craft can always access its light for solar energy. This is because, inevitably, the solar panels on a satellite will spend some of their time (up to around half their lifetime) in shadow.
Unfortunately, modern satellites don’t have the energy reserve capacity to make up for that, resulting in them having to sip electricity and spend it wisely. In practical terms, that means that every satellite-based mission is hampered by restricted operating times and limited payloads, in order not to exceed energy restrictions.
It’s all very inefficient when you examine the details. So, what’s the answer to the problem? Well, by understanding photovoltaics, you’ll come to realize that simply making bigger, thicker solar panels is too environmentally and economically costly to be viable. And we definitely can’t alter the power of the Sun. Instead, Space Power proposes a new, inventive solution: a wireless energy infrastructure, using lasers to recharge satellites’ solar panels when the Sun is out of range. Admittedly though, that does sound a bit… sci-fi. So, allow me to explain a little bit more about our engineered power beams.
The theory behind our engineered power
Space Power has pursued laser beaming solutions for 5 years and counting. We started by matching different lasers to different photovoltaics, demonstrating much higher conversion efficiencies at the solar panel than with broadband sunlight.
So, how have we achieved that? To tell you the truth, I’m not going to reveal all our guarded secrets in this article, but I can certainly give you a tour of the core ideas surrounding our power beaming technology. See, light in a tight wavelength band, that moves together in synchrony, will convert energy in a structured crystal substrate better than broadband light generated from chaotic processes, such as the turbulent surface of the Sun.
This is why our engineered power is so effective. Not only can we tailor our service to your specific solar panel specifications, but the photons we send are also reinforced by the structure and fidelity of a laser beam. This allows the photons to activate the electrons within the photovoltaic in a consistent manner. The result: better energy efficiency, with minimal overheating from wasted photon energy being dispersed through the solar panel.
When would you need Space Power’s services?
If you want to learn more about what the future has in store for Space Power, you can read about our long-term vision here. For now though, here’s the key takeaway:
Space Power’s industry-leading multijunction beaming technology enables us to provide energy to any solar panel currently in use. And, thanks to the universality of our engineered power beams, we’ll have every future satellite covered too. When packaged in a payload, we can deliver a wireless powerbank to beam lasers directly to your satellite. There are any number of situations where this would prove useful, but as an idea, here are some of the major ones:
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- When your satellite needs an energy boost while its photovoltaics are in shadow
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- When its photovoltaics are degrading and need a more regular helping hand
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- In the eventuality that your satellite’s solar array doesn’t open fully
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- In the eventuality that your spacecraft lands upside down, or in a crater
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- If your satellite’s battery capacity is failing, due to high power loads and difficulties with charging the normal way
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- If you simply just want to make sure that you get the most out of the asset you have launched into space
Practical demonstrations
Let’s be honest, power beaming tech such as ours is still fresh out the oven. As such, it’s understandable that you might need to see some proof of concept before jumping onboard. In which case, make sure to read about TeDe – our very own terrestrial demonstrator. Oh, and if you want to see our technology in use while actually in orbit, watch this space. We’ve got something very exciting coming up soon. Contact us to find out more.
