article_snippet: Japanese scientists have successfully transmitted energy wirelessly in a breakthrough that could pave the way for space-based solar power systems.
article_snippet: Japanese scientists say Japanese scientists have successfully transmitted energy wirelessly in a breakthrough for future solar space power systems.
article_snippet: Solar power generation in space has many advantages over the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) Earth-based cousin, notably the permanent availability of energy, regardless of weather or time of day.
article_snippet: While man-made satellites, such as the International Space Station, have long since been able to use the solar energy that washes over man-made satellites, such as the International Space Station from the sun, getting that power down to the Earth where people can use it has been the thing of science fiction.
article_snippet: The idea of space-based solar power generation emerged among US researchers in the 1960s and Japan's SSPS programme, chiefly financed by the industry ministry, started in 2009, the Jaxa spokesman said.
article_snippet: Space-based solar power
article_snippet: Solar power has had a difficult start on the Earth thanks to inefficient panels and high costs.
article_snippet: Now, the space-based solar power – once the stuff of science-fiction – could be available sooner than expected if Japan has its way.
article_snippet: Within 25 years, Japan plans to make space-based solar power a reality, according to a proposal from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).