ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO — The U.S. Air Force wants a space system to generate solar energy and then beams it to forward operating bases.<br /><br />The U.S. Air Force wants to develop a system that generates solar energy in space, converts it to radio frequencies, and then beams it to forward operating bases."<br /><br />Colonel Eric Felt told Stars and Stripes, "Energy is a strategic enabler and potential vulnerability for our nation."<br /><br />Remote outposts that rely on fuel for energy need to be supplied by convoys and protective escorts, which the enemy could target.<br /><br />The air force states that harnessing solar energy in space offers advantages such as providing power around the clock in all weather conditions.<br /><br />The project developers also said another application of the system is to supply energy to remote communities.<br /><br />According to Stars and Stripes, the system is envisioned as a constellation of satellites with ten thousand square meters of solar panels.<br /><br />The solar energy system would steer its beams at specific locations electrically, rather than having to turn mechanical arrays.
