آژانس فضایی ژاپن (JAXA) از سال ۲۰۰۸ در پی توسعه فناوری های برای انتقال برق به صورت بیسیم می باشد. هدف اصلی سیستم های خورشیدی فضایی، انتقال انرژی از پنل های خورشیدی فضایی تا سال ۲۰۳۰ می باشد. شرکت Mitsubishi heavy industries تست سیستم انتقال برق بیسیم را با موفقیت بر روی زمین انجام داده است. این تکنولوژی می تواند به عنوان نقطه آغازی برای سیستم انتقال برق بیسیم فضایی باشد.
in the test, 10 kilowatts of electricity was successfully transmitted via a microwave unit. Power reception was confirmed at a receiver located 500 meters away. LED lights on the receiver confirmed the transmission. This marks a new milestone in transmission distance and power load (enough to power a set of conventional kitchen appliances). The test also confirmed the success of the advanced control system technology that is used to direct the microwave beam so that it stays on target.
The new test results promise to lead to way to terrestrial applications like the SSPS, and will hopefully eliminate the need for traditional cable connections. Potentially, a solar battery in orbit (36,000 kilometers above earth) could generate power which would then be transmitted to earth via microwave/laser, without relying on cables. JAXA anticipates that this new technology could become a mainstay energy source that will simultaneously solve both environmental and energy issues here on Earth.
