
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory engineers launched PRAM, the Photovoltaic Radio-frequency Antenna Module, aboard an Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle on May 17 as part of a comprehensive investigation into prospective terrestrial use of solar energy captured in space.
“To our knowledge, this experiment is the first test in orbit of hardware designed specifically for solar power satellites, which could play a revolutionary role in our energy future,” said Paul Jaffe, PRAM principal investigator.
The 12-inch square tile module will test the ability to harvest power from its solar panel and transform the energy to a radio frequency microwave.
“PRAM converts sunlight for microwave power transmission. We could’ve also converted for optical power transmission,” said Chris Depuma, PRAM program manager. “Converting to optical might make more sense for lunar applications because there’s no atmosphere on the Moon. The disadvantage of optical is you could lose a lot of energy through clouds and atmosphere. “
The use of solar energy to operate satellites began at the start of the space age with another NRL spacecraft: Vanguard I, the first satellite to have solar cells. This current experiment focuses on the energy conversion process and resulting thermal performance. The hardware will provide researchers with temperature data, along with PRAM’s efficiency in energy production. This information will drive the design of future space solar prototypes.
Depending on the results, the team aims ultimately to build a fully-functional system on a dedicated spacecraft to test the transmission of energy back to Earth. The development of a space solar capability could potentially help provide energy to remote installations like forward operating bases and disaster response areas.
This flight experiment enables researchers to test the hardware in actual space conditions. Incoming sunlight travels through the Earth’s atmosphere, both filtering the spectrum and reducing its brightness. A space solar system traveling above the atmosphere would catch more energy from each of the sunlight’s color bands.
“There’s more blue in the spectrum in space, allowing you to add another layer to solar cells to take advantage of that,” Jaffe said. “This is one reason why the power per unit area of a solar panel in space is greater than on the ground.”
The National Security Space Office recommended in a 2007 feasibility study to investigate solar power satellite technology. NRL’s expertise with solar-powered satellites since the late 1950s and long history as a pioneer in space, including in the development of GPS, led researchers to further explore this emergent field.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Solar power satellites
- NASA satellites spot huge solar flare blasting from the Sun 'Canyon of fire'on February 22, 2021 at 2:47 am
NASA satellites have captured the moment a huge flare was released from the Sun, and astronomers have warned the ensuing bombardment of solar particles could hit Earth.
- Power outages across the Plains: 4 questions answered about weather-driven blackoutson February 21, 2021 at 10:36 am
Amid record cold temperatures and skyrocketing energy demand, utilities across the central U.S. have ordered rolling blackouts to ration electricity, leaving millions of people without power. Energy ...
- MN Homeowners, Solar Groups Back Solar Panel Billon February 20, 2021 at 8:57 am
Jonathan Edmonson had plans to put a 16-kilowatt solar array on the roof of his suburban Minneapolis home, covering its dark blue roof with sleek black panels.
- Minnesota homeowners, solar groups back solar panel billon February 20, 2021 at 2:00 am
A group of homeowners and solar advocates are asking Minnesota lawmakers this session to support a bill allowing homeowners associations to regulate but not ban the installation of photovoltaic and ...
- Sounding rocket CLASP2 elucidates solar magnetic fieldon February 19, 2021 at 11:15 am
Cooperative operations between a solar observation satellite and a sounding-rocket telescope have measured the magnetic field strength in the photosphere and chromosphere above an active solar plage ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Solar power satellites
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Space solar capability
- Solar storm to hit Earth later this week; auroras expectedon February 22, 2021 at 11:18 am
Dr. Tamitha Skov, a space weather physicist, tweeted the solar storm launched by the sun ... and will be the first performance with 50 percent capacity. WASHINGTON PARK, Ill.
- Pathfinder Clean Energy in Poland to develop initial 100 MWp pipeline of solaron February 22, 2021 at 4:30 am
PACE has completed detailed market and technical analysis in Poland over the last 18 months and has identified and advancing its first 100 MWp of early stage solar projects. The PACE Poland office ...
- Solar outshines wind power in total capacityon February 21, 2021 at 7:41 am
In a significant development in the renewable space, solar power has overtaken wind power in terms of total installed capacity. A decade ago, the solar segment had a capacity of just 18 MW, while wind ...
- NASA Science, Cargo Launches on 15th Northrop Grumman Resupply Mission to Space Stationon February 21, 2021 at 3:57 am
A Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft is en route to the International Space Station with approximately 8,000 pounds of science investigations and cargo after launching at 12:36 p.m. EST ...
- Disastrous Houston blackouts captured from spaceon February 19, 2021 at 8:18 am
New satellite photos captured the widespread and disastrous power outages that plunged the Houston area into darkness this week, when a powerful Arctic weather system swept through the state. Millions ...