The space industry, having reached a market value of $469 billion in 2021, is poised for further growth with projections surpassing $634 billion by 2026. PowerLight Technologies, recognized for its commercially viable, safe, long-distance wireless power beaming, is at the forefront of this market expansion. Their expertise in transmitting kilowatt-class power over kilometers distances is a cornerstone of this new lunar initiative.
Chris DePuma, Program Manager, Spacecraft Engineering at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, emphasized the significance of power beaming in space exploration. "Power beaming is poised as a critical enabler for power distribution on the moon and elsewhere in space," he stated. This technology addresses the unique challenges of lunar development, such as efficiency, deployment flexibility, and ease of implementation, essential for establishing a sustainable presence on the moon.
Beamed power, according to PowerLight Technologies, will play a crucial role in powering remote devices, especially in lunar regions that are perpetually dark or shadowed. It also provides a safe method to deliver power from distant nuclear reactors, essential for lunar operations.
Richard Gustafson, President and CEO of PowerLight, highlighted the broader vision of their technology. "PowerLight's advanced power beaming technology is uniquely suited to meet the challenges presented by exploration and mining on the moon," he said. The company's goal is to develop scalable systems that can operate jointly, creating monetizable services for future lunar users. This approach is not just limited to the moon; the company also looks forward to potential applications on Mars.
The flexibility offered by laser power beaming will significantly enhance lunar operations. This includes powering mobile, autonomous rovers, especially in permanently shadowed craters, and facilitating power transmission between orbiting vehicles and the lunar surface.
One particularly promising application is in ISRU ice mining operations in permanently shadowed regions (PSR). These operations, ranging from prospecting to full-scale industry, will depend on power beamed from isolated regions to mobile assets within the PSR.
PowerLight's leadership in power beaming safety, evidenced by multiple patents, is integral to the large-scale commercialization of this technology. Their advanced safety systems for both power beaming and power over fiber (PoF) have been rigorously tested and approved by governing agencies, paving the way for widespread adoption.
The company's prowess in power beaming was showcased in 2021 when it partnered with Ericsson to demonstrate the world's first wireless power beaming to a 5G base station. This achievement underscored the adaptability of power beaming in designing and deploying wireless telecommunications networks.
In 2023, PowerLight expanded its horizons by partnering on the DARPA POWER ("Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay") Program. This initiative aims to develop an airborne energy relay system capable of long-range energy transmission for global military operations, showcasing the versatility and strategic importance of PowerLight's technology.
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