Japan Wirelessly Transmits Power from the Air to the Ground

Flying 3.1 miles above the ground at 700km/hr, the jet transmitted power to ground-based antennae. (Image Credit: Japan Space Systems)

Japan Space Systems (JSS) successfully achieved a breakthrough: wirelessly transmitting power from an in-flight jet to ground-based antennae. With this experiment, several technologies may be capable of beaming solar power from orbit to the Earth. By utilizing readily available tools, this technique can help mitigate the drawbacks of traditional solar panels by providing uninterrupted, clean energy while occupying minimal ground space.

Compared to ground-based systems, low-earth orbiting solar panels are more advantageous. For instance, they collect significantly more energy as they don’t experience atmospheric interruptions. The panels could use microwaves to deliver power to Earth, retaining 95% of their energy while moving through the atmosphere. 

Staying in the right orbit could also lead to nighttime power delivery, enabling a continuous energy supply. According to researchers, space-based solar energy could help power land and air vehicles, further reducing emissions. Additionally, receivers wouldn’t take up much land space compared to solar or wind farms. There is still significant energy loss while converting it to and from microwave emissions. Plus, orbiting satellites could get struck by micrometeorites, potentially forming and accumulating space debris.

JSS demonstrated wireless power transmission over a range of 30 to 100 meters. Recently, it delivered energy from a microwave transmitter panel attached to a Diamond Air Services’ Gulfstream-IV type Business jet 3.1 miles above the ground. The team flew this jet over an antenna array to measure power reception from varying angles, demonstrating the system’s ability to rapidly and precisely redirect microwave beams.

JSS’s system utilizes quantum interference to deflect the emissions from multiple sources, thereby eliminating all waves except those coming from a specific direction. The idea is similar to splashing water at multiple points. This causes waves to merge, producing strong surges, while others cancel each other out, resulting in calm zones.

The ultimate goal is to transmit power from satellites 22,369 miles above the Earth's surface. In 2023, Caltech achieved a similar feat, transmitting power from orbit to power two ground-based LED lights.

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