Found in Space

Emerging technologies that will make life better on and off Earth

Without space-based technology, we’d have trouble making a phone call, watching live TV, or getting directions. But communication satellites aren’t the only things that will be floating around up there in the near future. Not only are humans about to spend a lot more time in space, we’re also constantly finding more ways in space to help us out on Earth. Pretty soon, these space-based technologies will be part of our daily lives.

Solar power

Space-based solar power envisions collecting solar energy in space using satellites and beaming it back to Earth. This futuristic concept offers several advantages over traditional solar power, including continuous energy generation, higher efficiency, and global reach. It faces significant challenges such as high costs, technological complexity, and potential environmental impacts. While still in development, space-based solar power holds the promise of revolutionizing energy production and addressing global energy needs. Startup Aetherflux plans to deploy a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit starting in 2026 that will beam solar power to Earth.

“Our main observation for the reason it hasn’t happened is because the design is not one that you can iterate on,” Baiju Bhatt, founder and CEO of Aetherflux, said. “It’s all or nothing. The approach of power transmission that we’re taking, which is infrared laser-based, is something that you can actually make on an arbitrarily small spacecraft.”

Global navigation

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are networks of satellites that provide precise positioning, navigation, and timing information. These systems use radio signals to determine the location of a receiver on Earth. The most well-known GNSS is the Global Positioning System (GPS) operated by the United States. Other notable GNSS include GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (European Union), and BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (China). GNSS technology has revolutionized many industries, including transportation, agriculture, and surveying. It’s used in everyday devices like smartphones, GPS receivers, and autonomous vehicles. Colorado startup Locus Lock is designing GNSS systems for land, sea, air, and space.

“Sensors for advanced and autonomous navigation weren’t providing the trustworthy, precise and secure positioning data needed for safe and informed navigation,” Locus Lock CEO Hailey Nichols told SpaceNews. Locus Lock’s receivers are made to operate in “complex and challenging environments, inclusive of areas that are GPS-contested or denied.”

Laser communication

Laser communication in space, also known as lasercom, is a cutting-edge technology that uses lasers to transmit data at incredibly high speeds. This method offers several advantages over traditional radio frequency (RF) communication, including higher data rates, smaller and lighter hardware, and greater security. Lasercom is particularly useful for deep space missions, where vast distances and limited bandwidth can hinder data transmission. By using lasers, scientists can send and receive large amounts of scientific data, such as high-resolution images and videos, much faster than with traditional methods.

“The addition of laser communications to spacecraft is similar to switching from dial-up to high-speed internet,” NASA said.

Remote sensing

Remote sensing is the technique of gathering information about Earth’s surface from a distance, typically using satellites. These satellites carry specialized sensors that detect and measure electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from the Earth’s surface. By analyzing this data, scientists can monitor various aspects of our planet, such as vegetation health, land use changes, ocean currents, and atmospheric conditions. Remote sensing plays a crucial role in fields like environmental science, agriculture, and disaster management.

“Using powerful remote sensors on satellites, people are now able to measure the Earth’s land and sea surface temperature and topography, vegetation patterns, precipitation, wind, soil moisture, and more,” Ursa Space says. “We can use these data to map agricultural crops, forest fires, flooding, sea ice, oceans, oil spills, or any area of land.”

Weather forecasting

While weather forecasting is typically associated with Earth’s atmosphere, it’s also crucial for understanding and predicting space weather. Space weather refers to the conditions in space, particularly those affecting Earth and its technological systems. By monitoring solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, scientists can forecast potential disruptions to satellite communications, GPS systems, and power grids. Space weather forecasting helps us prepare for and mitigate the impacts of these events, protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the safety of astronauts.

“The more space-reliant we become, and the more we evolve in that realm, the more crucial it becomes to mobilize stakeholders and decision makers,” MITRE Space Weather lead Michael Cook said. “It’s about understanding the how, the what, and why we should care in terms of our space-based assets.”

In-space propulsion

In-space propulsion is the technology that enables spacecraft to maneuver and change their orbits in space. It’s essential for missions ranging from Earth orbit to deep space exploration. Various propulsion systems exist, including chemical rockets, ion engines, and solar sails. Chemical rockets are powerful but have limited fuel capacity. Ion engines, on the other hand, use electric fields to accelerate ions, providing high specific impulse but lower thrust. Solar sails harness the momentum of sunlight to propel spacecraft, offering a sustainable and efficient means of propulsion for long-duration missions.

Ad Astra Rocket Company and The Space Nuclear Power Corporation have teamed up to deliver nuclear electric propulsion, combining Ad Astra’s VASIMR engine with SpaceNuke’s Kilpower reactor, with a first flight demonstration aimed for 2030.

“Just as nuclear power enabled the USS Nautilus to traverse under the polar ice cap in 1958, nuclear electric propulsion will open the entire solar system to human exploration,” Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz, CEO of Ad Astra, said.