The United States Department of Defense is advancing plans to develop “space power beaming” technology, a system designed to wirelessly transmit electricity from orbit to satellites and strategic military installations on the ground. The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has formally invited proposals from commercial spacetech companies to bring the concept, long confined to theoretical research and science fiction, into practical military use.
The Department of Defense has set an ambitious target of fully integrating the technology into military operations by fiscal year 2030. While research into wireless power transmission has existed for decades, the effort has gained fresh momentum due to the rapid growth of the private space industry. However, the Pentagon has not yet finalized whether it will build and operate the orbital power infrastructure directly or procure electricity as a commercial service from private space companies.
The proposed system works by converting solar energy collected through space-based solar panels into electromagnetic radiation, using either laser beams or high-powered microwaves. This energy is then beamed toward a designated receiver, known as a rectenna, located either on Earth or in space, which converts the signal back into standard electrical power for grid use.
Officials note the technology could significantly transform satellite operations. Current satellites rely entirely on onboard solar panels and batteries, with battery degradation typically marking the end of their operational life. A continuous space-based power supply would extend satellite lifespans and allow them to carry more power-intensive surveillance equipment and sensors without the current energy constraints.
From a military standpoint, the technology is considered strategically significant. It could provide direct power to military units stationed in remote or hostile terrain, including mountainous regions, deserts, and forward battlefield zones lacking grid infrastructure. This would be particularly valuable for autonomous systems such as surveillance drones and vehicles operating in areas where fuel logistics are difficult to maintain.
The Pentagon has structured the initiative into four development phases, covering space-to-space and space-to-Earth power transmission, followed by improvements to receiver efficiency and reductions in receiver size and weight for battlefield portability. Selected companies will be required to demonstrate laboratory-level proof of concept within 12 months of contract award, with an in-space prototype test targeted within three years. Both domestic and qualified international space firms are eligible to apply, with defense analysts suggesting rising private investment could accelerate development timelines beyond current projections.