Pentagon Wants On Demand Solar Power from Orbit
October 5th, 2026Via: Interesting Engineering:
A solar power startup has received backing from US authorities to design, build, and test a homing beacon that will enable its space-based solar energy system accurately beam power from orbit to receiving solar arrays on Earth.
Overview Energy secured the contract through the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF). The company announced the project on Wednesday, September 30.
The technology will allow the firm’s satellites to identify and authenticate receiver sites on the ground. Once a site is confirmed, the satellites could lock onto it and precisely beam energy from orbit to Earth. That said, satellites in geosynchronous orbit could receive sunlight around the clock.
The proposed satellites would collect sunlight in space and convert the captured energy into near-infrared light. The safe, invisible beam would then be directed toward existing and future utility-scale solar facilities on Earth.
