The U.S. Naval Research Lab launched Space Wireless Power Laser Link – or SWELL – at night on Tuesday, in order to demonstrate beaming laser power into space, part of the Defense Departments planned Space Test Program H9 mission to the International Space Station.
The SWELL experiment was launched onboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship to the ISS “to gather data while establishing the laser power beaming link in space conditions.”
Power beaming is a method for sending power as electromagnetic waves, which does not require transporting masses along with it, and thus can be sent nearly instantaneously, according to an announcement.
The technique has been proven achievable on Earth, and is now being tested in space. In particular, this will examine the challenges of power beaming and its feasibility for use in space applications, and will also emphasize the potential of using power beaming to solve Earth’s energy problems.
“With this modest experiment, we will identify key focus areas for developing links of greater power and longer distance for space,” said Paul Jaffe, electronics engineer and SWELL principal investigator. “By employing laser transmitters and photovoltaic receivers, power beaming links will be established that will pave the way for rapid, resilient and flexible energy delivery systems.”
SWELL is one of several experiments aboard the SpaceX Dragon Vehicle. The experiments are sponsored by the Under Secretary of Defenses Acquisition and Sustainment Directorate, supported by the Operating Power Capability Enhancement Fund.
The SWELL one-year experiment is expected to produce data showing the operation of the equipment in space, as well as constraints that are likely to impact future deployments of operational systems.
“Power beaming might also be used for distributing power for and around Earth, including from satellites that collect solar energy in space,” Jaffe said. “SWELL is the next step into this new frontier.”
According to the statement, SWELL may prove a good choice for showing the potential for using Lunar resources and for developing lunar facilities on the Moon, as it eliminates the need for propellants, batteries, or stranded electrical lines.
“Power beaming might also be used for distributing power for and around Earth, including from satellites that collect solar energy in space,” Jaffe said. “SWELL is the next step into this new frontier.”
“This is the next step in extending this capability for space, lunar and planetary applications,” Chris DePuma, SWELL program manager, said. “Power beaming is poised as a critical enabler for power distribution on the moon and elsewhere in space.”
