The Defense Innovation Unit has issued a solicitation for a prototype satellite capable of beaming electrical power both to other spacecraft and to the ground, with the goal of demonstrating the technology in low Earth orbit in the coming years.
Rapid On-Orbit Demonstration Targeted
DIU is seeking commercial solutions for a system that can deliver energy to satellites up to 1,200 kilometers in altitude. While the long-term vision includes multi-orbit and deep-space capabilities, the immediate priority is a near-term LEO-based prototype. The plan calls for a laboratory demonstration within 12 months of contract award, followed by a decision on whether to proceed with on-orbit testing within 24 months.
Four Key Technology Focus Areas
The solicitation outlines four lines of effort: space-to-space power beaming, space-to-terrestrial power beaming, power beaming receivers, and next-generation components designed to reduce size, weight, and power requirements. The prototypes are expected to lead to an operational capability by fiscal year 2030, with the end goal of providing on-demand access to space-based power beaming.
Flexible Approach to Power Sources and Transmission Methods
DIU has deliberately left the choice of onboard power source open to industry, allowing proposals based on solar arrays, small nuclear reactors, or other technologies. Similarly, the solicitation does not prescribe whether microwave or laser-based systems should be used for energy transmission. The aim is to leverage existing commercial advancements rather than pursuing lengthy government-led development.
Potential Military Applications
Space power beaming is viewed as a capability that could support edge computing, in-space manufacturing, and power delivery to forward operating locations and unmanned systems. DIU intends to evaluate the military utility of the technology through prototype demonstrations before scaling toward operational use.
