Wireless power transmission systems have started to gain societal acceptance. The ultimate form of this technology involves generating electricity through solar power in space and transmitting it to Earth via electromagnetic waves. In this issue, we delve into whether this is truly feasible by consulting with JAXA.
In our previous issue, we discussed how the mechanism of wireless charging surprisingly applies knowledge we learned in elementary school. These technologies are currently being developed for applications such as smartphone charging and in-motion charging systems for electric vehicles.
However, the ultimate power sources we've seen in science fiction—spaceships and giant robots that operate indefinitely as long as they are exposed to sunlight—might soon become a reality. Thus, in this issue, we will explore the concept of space solar power systems (SSPS) in depth.
The concept of Space Solar Power Systems (SSPS), proposed in 1968 by Professor Peter Glaser of the United States, involves deploying massive solar power generation systems and microwave transmission antennas in space. The generated electrical energy is converted into microwaves around the frequency of 5.8GHz and transmitted to a receiving antenna (rectenna) on the ground. The received microwaves are then converted back into electrical power, theoretically providing an infinite source of energy. This concept has been incorporated into numerous sci-fi works and has been the subject of ongoing research.
'Research is continuing in many countries, including Japan. Particularly in the United States, China, and Europe, more budget is being allocated compared to Japan,' a JAXA SSPS researcher responded. This suggests that realization might be closer than we think.
