Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project Achieves Significant Milestone

Caltech’s Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1) celebrated a major achievement one year after its launch, demonstrating and testing crucial technological innovations for space solar power viability. The project aimed to beam solar power from space to Earth and successfully executed three key elements during its mission.

The spaceborne testbed showcased wireless power transmission in space, assessed the efficiency and durability of various solar cells in the space environment, and conducted a real-world trial of a lightweight deployable structure to house solar cells and power transmitters.

Now, as the SSPD-1 mission concludes, Earth-based engineers are reflecting on the successes and valuable lessons learned, providing insights that will guide the future of space solar power.

Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum expressed optimism about the project, stating, “Solar power beamed from space at commercial rates, lighting the globe, is still a future prospect. But this critical mission demonstrated that it should be an achievable future.”

SSPD-1 marked a significant milestone in a decade-long project, gaining international attention for its tangible progress in space solar power technology. Launched on January 3, 2023, as part of the Caltech Space Solar Power Project (SSPP), the mission comprised three main experiments:

• DOLCE (Deployable on-Orbit ultraLight Composite Experiment): Demonstrated the novel architecture and deployment mechanisms for scalable modular spacecraft.
• ALBA: Evaluated 32 types of photovoltaic (PV) cells to assess their resilience in space.
• MAPLE (Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment): Showcased wireless power transmission in space.

Despite successful outcomes, not everything went according to plan, presenting authentic challenges for scientists and engineers. For instance, during the deployment of DOLCE, a snagged wire caused complications. The team addressed this by warming the system with solar energy, showcasing adaptability in the face of challenges.

The ALBA experiment measured the performance of new ultralight solar cells over 240 days, providing valuable data on their response to space weather events. The team tested cost-effective space cells, including perovskite cells and luminescent solar concentrators.

MAPLE achieved a breakthrough by demonstrating wireless power transmission in space and directing a beam to Earth, a groundbreaking accomplishment in the field. The experiment continued for eight months, uncovering potential weaknesses and guiding improvements for future designs.

The Space Solar Power Project (SSPP), initiated by philanthropist Donald Bren in collaboration with Caltech, has received significant funding to propel the research forward. With SSPD-1 completing its mission, the team continues to analyze feedback, paving the way for future research challenges.

Specific data on power transmission and distances were not provided, the SSPD-1 mission significantly advances the understanding and feasibility of space solar power, contributing to the ongoing pursuit of abundant, reliable, and affordable power solutions for the future.

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