The power will be beamed to a receiving station at the base on the ground, and the energy is collected by a rectifying antenna or “rectenna” that will rectify and convert the RF into usable power. The sandwich tiles are key to the process and the design eliminates the need for heavy power banks.
The tiles will be building blocks for square meter panel of tiles. Arachne is scheduled for a launch in 2025.
SOURCES- PV Magazine
Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
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"Within 2 years a hundred assemblers living onboard the first large Space Island station could build and test a full-sized power sat in low Earth orbit, then gently boost it into its final position the following year . . . orbital assembly could dramatically simplify solar sat design, since the final assembly wouldn’t have to withstand the tremendous vibration of traditional unmanned launchers." –http://spaceislandgroup.com/pdf/BusinessPlan.pdf
I was in favor of storing the tanks all along, as I understood O'Neill already. I certainly agree with the orbital assembly part, but would like to see more than fuel derived from comets. At the time, ~2001, these guys should have suspected water on Moon, too. Lots of good ideas, no Delta Clipper!
Sounds good.
I like Gene Meyers plan from SPACE ISLAND GROUP