U.S. Navy Lab Conducts First Laser Energy Transfer Experiment in Outer Space

Foreign media said, recently, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) tested the laser power beam in outer space for the first time, as part of the U.S. Department of Defense program.
According to reports, the space wireless energy laser link (SWELL) is March 14 SpaceX "Dragon" spacecraft to the International Space Station launch mission of a number of experiments. arrived at the International Space Station.
Dr. Paul Jaffe, principal investigator of the SWELL project, said, "Through this experiment, we will identify key areas of focus to develop more powerful and longer-range laser links for space."
He added, "By using laser transmitters and photovoltaic receivers, we will establish power transmission links that will pave the way for fast, resilient and flexible energy transmission systems."
Energy transfer is a method of transmitting energy via electromagnetic waves that could be used in future lunar programs. "This is the next step in extending this capability to space, lunar and planetary applications," said Chris DePuma, SWELL program manager, in a statement from the agency, "Power transmission will be a key enabler for power distribution on the Moon and elsewhere in space. "
SpaceX Dragon is an innovative spacecraft capable of carrying up to seven passengers to and from Earth orbit and beyond," Chris DePuma described as "the only spacecraft currently capable of returning large amounts of cargo to Earth, and the first private spacecraft to send humans to a space station. private spacecraft to the space station."
The experiment was initiated by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Maintenance and supported by the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund. The experiment is part of the U.S. Department of Defense Space Test Program's H9 mission.
The Space Wireless Energy Laser Link SWELL mission is expected to last one year and will use laser power multiple times throughout the test period to collect data. In addition, laser energy beams may also be used to distribute energy to and around the Earth, including harvesting solar energy from satellites in space, and SWELL is the next step into this new frontier.
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is a science and engineering command, headquartered in Washington, D.C., dedicated to research that drives innovative advances in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the ocean floor to space and information.