Space-based solar power takes a first step

Read the full story from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Solar and other renewable energy sources will continue to grow, but what could be the ultimate game-changer is development of space-based solar power (SBSP). For many, it still seems like pie in the sky, but the first efforts at launching a satellite into orbit and having it transmit energy back to Earth became a reality in June. A space solar power prototype launched earlier this year demonstrated the ability to wirelessly transmit power in space and beam detectable power back to Earth. For the first time.