According to the British *Daily Mail*, U.S. Navy engineers have unveiled an ambitious vision for harvesting energy from space. They propose deploying massive solar arrays in orbit that could beam solar power down to Earth, potentially supplying energy to military bases and even entire cities. Dr. Paul Jaffe, a spacecraft engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, has developed and tested two prototype modules designed to capture and transmit solar energy efficiently.
A recent image shows U.S. Navy experts working on a space-based solar system that focuses sunlight into energy beams directed toward the ground. The concept relies on a "sandwich" module, which houses all the electronic components between two square solar panels. The top panel is a photovoltaic surface that absorbs sunlight, while the middle layer converts this energy into wireless signals. The bottom component acts as an antenna, transmitting the power to designated locations on Earth.
These solar modules would be constructed by robots in space and eventually form a large satellite with a diameter of about 1 kilometer. A second design features a "running" module that unfolds like a flat panel, allowing it to capture more sunlight without overheating, thus increasing efficiency.
Despite the futuristic nature of the project, the U.S. Navy acknowledges that it still sounds like science fiction. Dr. Jaffe noted that launching materials into space remains costly, so reducing the weight of components is crucial. He claims that the sandwich module design is four times more efficient than previous models.
In addition, Jaffe has explored using a ladder-like module to address thermal challenges. This design, which is currently under patent review, features a zigzag structure that allows solar panels to absorb more sunlight without excessive heating, improving overall performance.
This groundbreaking initiative highlights the potential of space-based solar power, offering a clean and sustainable energy solution for the future. As technology advances, such systems could play a key role in meeting global energy demands while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
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