A team at Xidian University in China is developing technology to transmit solar power from space to Earth. They are testing a system using mirrors, solar panels, and microwave transmitters to send electricity over 100 meters, with a long-term goal of 36,000 km.
SpaceX's planned IPO, seeking $75B at a $1.75T valuation, is expected to boost the satellite industry's growth, driven by expansions into direct-to-cell services, space-based solar power, AI computing, and vertical integration with its Terafab AI space computing chip facility.
China has successfully tested a system capable of beaming microwave power to multiple moving targets simultaneously, including a drone. Developed at Xidian University, the system transmitted 1,180 watts over 100 meters with precise beam control and achieved a 20.8% efficiency.
Meta signs capacity reservation agreement with Overview Energy to receive up to 1 gigawatt of power from space-based solar satellites. The startup plans to beam infrared light from 1,000 spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit to terrestrial solar farms, enabling round-the-clock power generation for data centers. Meta's data centers used over 18,000 GWh of electricity in 2024.
