Russian scientists propose using land-based lasers to charge satellites

Russian scientists from the Novosibirsk-based Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics have proposed a project in the field of space communications that envisages charging space satellites by means of land-based laser equipment, the head of the institute's research laboratory said Monday.

Laser Focus World's take: The idea of charging machines remotely using lasers is not new; in fact, it has been discussed as a means to charge cell phones and other small devices. What is new is the tremendous amount of distance between earth and space and the vast power level of the lasers needed to perform this feat. Combining the power of photovoltaics and lasers is gaining more recognition in the industry, and laser power beaming competitions abound for charging UAVs. The Russian idea is definitely worthy of consideration.