Power transmission by radio waves

John C. Mankins, a scientist who worked at the US Aerospace Agency (NASA), successfully tested the use of radio waves to transmit solar power at a distance of 148km between two islands in Hawaii (USA). .

Mankins test model

He said this achievement demonstrates that current technology can transmit solar power from orbiting satellites to the earth.

According to Mankins technique, each satellite in orbit weighs about 500kg, will collect solar power and transmit down to the receiving stations on the ground.

In the test, each of the 9 solar panels can transmit solar power up to 20 watts but is reduced to 2 watts according to the safety regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Although the receiving stations were small, only a small portion of the solar power could be collected from satellites, but Mankins said that the ground test proved to be able to transmit solar power quickly and efficiently in pots. ozone. The trial cost $ 1 million and Mankins said it could build larger receiving stations with additional funding.

Mankins worked for NASA for 25 years, in charge of the space solar program before the program was dissolved. Mankins' experiment was broadcast in the 'Discovery Project Earth: Orbital Power Plant' program on Sept. 12 on the Discovery Channel, which sponsors testing in the past four months.