Space-based solar power
![NASA Suntower concept.](/Images/godic/202502/09/Suntower5648.jpg")
![A laser pilot beam guides the microwave power transmission to a rectenna.](/Images/godic/202502/09/Space_to_ground_microwave,_laser_pilot_beam5648.png")
![Artist's concept of Solar Power Satellite in place. Shown is the assembly of a microwave transmission antenna. The solar power satellite was to be located in a geosynchronous orbit, 36,000 miles above the Earth's surface. NASA 1976](/Images/godic/202502/09/NASA_solar_power_satellite_concept_19765648.jpg")
![SERT sandwich concept.NASA](/Images/godic/202502/09/Solar_power_satellite_sandwich_or_abascus_concept5648.jpg")
Space-based solar power (SBSP) is the concept of collecting solar power in space (using an "SPS", that is, a "solar-power satellite" or a "satellite power system") for use on Earth. It has been in research since the early 1970s.
SBSP would differ from current solar collection methods in that the means used to collect energy would reside on an orbiting satellite instead of on Earth's surface. Some projected benefits of such a system are a higher collection rate and a longer collection period due to the lack of a diffusing atmosphere and night time in space.