Space-Based Solar Powered Generation Technology

A team of scientists from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI Corp. and Kyoto University have announced plans to begin testing of a space-based solar powered generation technology.  Sunlight in space would be converted into electricity which would then be converted into microwaves and sent to Earth to be converted back again to electricity. The first planned test will attempt to convert a strong electric current into microwaves and transmit them 10 meters away in a simulated outer space environment at Kyoto University.  A successful test would likely accelerate the goal of putting a space-based power generation system into practical use by 2025.  The system would collect sunlight using reflecting mirrors fitted onto satellites in geosynchronous orbit above the equator.