Computational Study of Microwave Beam Forming for Wireless Power Transfer on Flight-Formation Small-Satellite Experiment

In this study, array scheme and inter-satellite distance (sat-distance) that maximize efficiency were considered. Space solar power (SSP), wherein solar panels are positioned in space to generate electricity and transmit it to the ground via microwaves, attracts attention. European Space Agency (ESA) is planning a demonstration experiment of wireless power transfer using flight-formation small satellites, whose transmitting antennas are replaced with a large aperture antenna. Four cases are considered: a) the ideal case, b) the case of a single satellite failure, c) the case of a deviation in satellite positions, and d) the case of deviation in phase of satellites’ electric field. In the case of a) and b), the triangular array is more efficient. In the case of c), square array is partly more efficient. In the case of d), efficiencies decrease significantly as the deviation increases.