Seattle, WA--Laser power beaming company LaserMotive is one of the companies to work on the new NASA “Ride the Light” project, a space technology project in the Game Changing Technology division that will pursue breakthrough technology required for space launch and on orbit operations.
Ride the Light will use beamed power and propulsion produced by commercially available power sources such as lasers and microwave energy to develop a low-cost, modular power beaming capability and explore multiple technologies to function as receiving elements of the beamed power. LaserMotive already has developed its own laser power beaming system, which is based on technology that the company developed for its winning entry in the 2009 NASA Power Beaming Challenge. The technology has set world records for laser-powered helicopter flight in August 2010 at the AUVSI Conference in Denver, CO, and again in October 2010 at the Future of Flight in Mukilteo, WA.
LaserMotive believes that laser power beaming not only has the ability to provide an endless fuel supply to air and space craft, but it also could extend their abilities, improve their endurance, and enable new missions, says Tom Nugent, LaserMotive president and co-founder.
Following Phase One studies of the project, NASA expects to make an implementation decision in 2012.
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