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April 14th, 2020
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir demonstrates how the LEctenna™, a light-emitting rectifying antenna constructed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, converts electromagnetic waves into electric current on the International Space Station. Similar technology could be used on the Earth’s surface to convert electromagnetic waves beamed from space-based solar arrays.
Credit: NASA
A power-beaming demonstration in orbit onboard the International Space Station is being highlighted by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).
The first NRL power-beaming demo took place in mid-February, facilitated by ISS astronaut Jessica Meir. A device converted electromagnetic waves into electric current on the orbiting outpost.
Meir showed how NRL’s LEctenna™, a light-emitting rectifying antenna, converted a wireless network signal, similar to home networks, into electric power. While the current that was produced and the light emitted was a small amount, the setup proved the concept in space, notes an NRL statement on the experiment.
Military, civilian applications
The device is spearheaded by NRL electronics engineer Paul Jaffe. He and his colleagues are investigating space solar and power-beaming as a potential source of clean energy for a variety of military and civilian applications.
Peter Glaser, the father of the solar power satellite concept.
Credit: Arthur D. Little Inc.
Possible uses include wirelessly charging mobile devices, remotely powering drones, along with space-based solar panel arrays.
USAF has been studying use of power-beaming spacecraft.
Credit: Kirtland Public Affairs
Space solar is simply using solar panels in space to harvest the sun’s energy, where collecting rays would be unaffected by clouds or other interference. Power-beaming would send the collected energy down to Earth, where it would be converted back – as shown by the LEctenna – to usable energy.
The LEctenna demonstration proved the concept of power beaming in space, but was primarily a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) project to inspire the next generation of innovators under the Department of Defense Space Test Program mission.
For more information on the LEctenna on ISS, go to this video at:
Also available is a video, How to Build a LEctenna, at:
Take a look at this video — Energy transmitted by laser in ‘historic’ power-beaming demonstration – at:
Posted in Space News
