Space Power Beaming (SPB)

Problem Statement

As space technologies advance and power requirements for missions increase, there is a growing need to investigate alternative forms of power production, generation, and delivery for both on-orbit and terrestrial assets. In space, existing power technology limits the ability to deploy new and novel technologies on-orbit and many missions operate with narrow power margins constrained largely by a trade between size, weight, and power (SWaP) and availability of power sources. Terrestrially, the fight of the future requires access to power in denied and potentially austere locations.

Space Power Beaming (SPB) provides an innovative approach to remove the power ceiling and improve the duty cycle for on-orbit systems. SPB could also provide a means to reduce or eliminate the need for extended infrastructure and reduce the logistics burden throughout the spectrum of conflict.

Desired Solution

The Joint Force seeks a demonstration traceable to a future operational capability that will inform architecture decisions. SPB is envisioned as a multi-orbit utility, enabling long-range power delivery to multiple orbital regimes (Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), and beyond) and terrestrial locations. This could enable a number of applications of interest to the Department of War such as edge computing, in-space manufacturing, and power delivery to forward operating locations and unmanned systems. Multiple approaches are under consideration including power-as-a-service or United States Government (USG) owned/operated systems.

While it is expected that SPB will eventually be multi-orbit capable, the Joint Force desires a near-term, LEO-based prototype and demonstration to evaluate the military utility of the capability. This on-orbit demonstration has been broken down into the following Lines of Effort (LoEs) for solutions to address:

LoE 1. Space-to-Space Power Beaming

• Complete commercial solutions for transmitting power to space-based receivers

LoE 2. Space-to-Terrestrial Power Beaming

• Complete commercial solutions for transmitting power to terrestrial-based receivers

LoE 3. Power Beaming Receivers

• Complete commercial solutions for receiving and converting the power that was transmitted from LoE 1 & 2 solutions

LoE 4. Next-gen Power Beaming Components

• Commercial solutions for next-gen power transfer components designed to reduce SWaP and/or improve the manufacturability for SPB transmitting and receiving capabilities 

Vendors have the opportunity to provide a single solution brief that addresses one, two, three, or all four LoEs. Please note that LoEs 1 and 2 are the primary areas of consideration for this requirement. Vendors should explicitly indicate which LoE(s) their solution is addressing. Additionally, solutions to LoE 4 must incorporate existing technology currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or higher, and must present a reasonable plan to achieve TRL 6 or higher by the time of on-orbit demonstration(s). 

Solutions to LoEs 1-4 with the following attributes would enable assessment of the technology’s viability for operational use. 

Required Solution Attributes:

• Rapid fielding: Leverage existing technology and investments wherever possible to minimize total cost and decrease time to on-orbit demonstration
• Energy delivered: Measure and characterize energy delivered to each recipient
• Beam size: Minimize receiver beam area to enable delivery to small receivers and minimize energy waste
• Operating Ranges:
  • LoE 1: Deliver power to satellites orbiting up to 1,200km
  • LoE 2: Deliver power to terrestrial receivers

Desired Solution Attributes:

• Latency: Minimal between power beaming events
• Maximum interoperability and integration: Capable of delivering power to existing legacy systems without specialized receivers
• Scalable technology: Design to be able to scale power levels as required by the use case

Vendors also have the opportunity to enter teaming arrangements with other companies (non-traditional or prime defense contractors) that are necessary for their solutions. Vendors are expected to have any teaming arrangements in place to execute their proposed solutions by contract award so work can begin without delay. Successful submissions will clearly identify the status of necessary teaming arrangements as part of the solution. Preference will be given to teaming arrangements that demonstrate prior partnership success. 

For all LoEs, the USG will favor solutions that require minimal modifications to existing plans and capabilities to achieve on-orbit demonstration readiness. This includes incorporating already planned on-orbit demonstrations into this effort. 

Execution Overview

For LoEs 1-3, the prototype effort will begin with milestones leading to a lab-based demonstration within 12 months of award. The USG will evaluate the results of that demonstration and determine if the solution is ready for on-orbit prototype demonstration(s) within 24 months of award. These prototypes are intended to lead to an operational capability by FY30. The desired programmatic end state is the ability to access this operational SPB capability on demand.

For LoE 4, the prototype effort will include milestones leading to a lab-based component demonstration within 6 months of award. The USG will evaluate the results of that demonstration and determine if the solution is ready for integration into awarded solutions for LoEs 1-3.