Focusing Microwave Radiation for Long-Distance Wireless Power Transfer in Space

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) promises to revolutionize energy distribution, being especially important in space exploration. By enabling previously impossible mission designs while avoiding interference concerns with living beings, the first widescale implementation of high-power WPT may happen here. To achieve long-distances, energy is transferred via electromagnetic waves, whose efficiency can be increased by focusing into a beam. In this paper we discuss various aspects, from the theory of quasioptics, usage of focusing components, the promise of time-modulated arrays, the importance of transparency in space and finalize with energy rectification back into DC. We hope to cover here the most important points required to make radiative WPT a reality in space applications.