One year ago, Caltech's Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1) launched into space to demonstrate and test three technological innovations that are among those necessary to make space solar power a reality.
The spaceborne testbed demonstrated the ability to beam power wirelessly in space; it measured the efficiency, durability, and function of a variety of different types of solar cells in space; and gave a real-world trial of the design of a lightweight deployable structure to deliver and hold the aforementioned solar cells and power transmitters.
Now, with SSPD-1's mission in space concluded, engineers on Earth are celebrating the testbed's successes and learning important lessons that will help chart the future of space solar power. [Caltech story]
![Space Solar Power image in black and white](https://divisions-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/eas70/Imported%20News%20Images/images/Space_Solar_Power_Demonstrat.2e16d0ba.fill-160.width-450.jpg)
![Space Solar Power array of flexible, lightweight microwave power transmitters](https://divisions-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/eas70/Imported%20News%20Images/images/MAPLE-Interior_Photo_by_Integrated_Cameras-2.o.width-450.jpg)
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