---
title: "Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project"
id: 36915
type: "post"
slug: "caltechs-space-solar-power-project"
author: "NSE"
published: "2023-05-13T17:34:43+00:00"
modified: "2023-05-13T17:40:59+00:00"
canonical: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/05/13/caltechs-space-solar-power-project/"
markdown_url: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/05/13/caltechs-space-solar-power-project.md"
description: "The Caltech Space Solar Power Project (SSPP) launched a demonstrator platform into space on January 3, 2023. The purpose of the platform is to test three key…"
language: "en-US"
category:
  - "Earth"
  - "Space Economy"
post_tag:
  - "Solar Power"
  - "Spacecraft"
---

# Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project

The Caltech [Space Solar Power Project (SSPP)](https://www.spacesolar.caltech.edu/) launched a demonstrator platform into space on January 3, 2023. The purpose of the platform is to test three key elements of the plan to develop a constellation of modular spacecraft that collect solar power and beam the energy back to Earth:

- DOLCE, which will test the design and deployment mechanisms for a lightweight, foldable structure that supports the solar panels and power transmitters;
- ALBA, testing the efficiency and robustness of different types of photovoltaic (P) cells; and
- MAPLE a flexible array of microwave power transmitters with precise timing control capable of transmitting power precisely and efficiently.

If successful, space solar power would be a pipeline to a constant and practically unlimited supply of energy.

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/img_3800.jpg?resize=696%2C1277&ssl=1)

Source: [Caltech](https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/caltech-to-launch-space-solar-power-technology-demo-into-orbit-in-january)