PaddleSat Optical Charging Station in Space

TL;DR

This paper explores the design and feasibility of PaddleSat, a space-based laser system to wirelessly transfer power to spacecraft, aiming to enhance power supply and extend mission durations.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of PaddleSat, analyzing design trade-offs and performance estimates for space-based laser power transmission systems.

Findings

Feasibility of laser power transfer in space.

Trade-offs between beam divergence and optical efficiency.

Design considerations for orbital control requirements.

Abstract

This work investigates the feasibility and design trade-offs for a companion spacecraft, or PaddleSat, to charge a host spacecraft by wirelessly transmitting power using a directional laser system. The primary goal of the PaddleSat is to supplement power on a host spacecraft to reduce the requirements for onboard power systems of the host spacecraft or extend mission lifetimes. System performance estimates, link budget calculations, optical transmission hardware and link analysis, design tradeoffs between beam divergence, optical efficiency, and relative orbital control requirements are examined.