The revolutionary SBSP technology attempts to beam solar energy from space to Earth.

Caltech scientists and engineers recently launched a special spacecraft called the Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD) into orbit. The spacecraft was designed as part of Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project (SSPP) and will be used for direct testing of what scientists call Space-Based Solar Power, or SBSP Tech, which attempts to download solar energy directly from space.

The experiment is part of a long-term wind project that hopes to make renewable energy more accessible by capturing solar energy in an easily accessible environment without worrying about day-night cycles or seasons and cloud cover. The SBSP technology successfully launched on January 3 and will test several key systems for returning solar energy to Earth.

The SBSP spacecraft consists of three main experiments, all of which test key components of the project. The first part, DOLCE, is an on-orbit deployable ultralight combination test. This SBSP technology component is a six-foot-by-six-foot structure that will eventually form the power station module that demonstrates the spacecraft’s architecture, packaging, and deployment.

The second assembly, ALBA, is an array of 32 photovoltaic (PV) cells, which will allow the experiment to test which cells are most efficient in the punishing environment of space. Finally, the final piece of SBSP technology is MAPLE, a microwave array for power transfer to low-orbit testing. This piece of technology features wireless transmission over space.

Overall, the SBSP technology acts as an extensive experiment to develop the right spacecraft to be used to create a space-based solar power station. Solar energy has long been seen as one of the most successful forms of renewable energy.

We have even seen the creation of liquid systems to generate solar energy, as well as solar panels that do not need the sun, but being able to completely leave the worry of clouds and daylight hours would be revolutionary.

The scientists say DOLCE should know quickly whether it works or not. The rest of the tests, however, will take time, and the team will be waiting for months of testing to see if the setup for SBSP technology works or not.