Beaming the Watts Down: NASA × Ascent Solar’s Thin-Film Array Sets the Stage for Space-to-Earth Power Transmission
Ascent Solar signed a 12-month agreement with NASA in June 2025 to develop thin-film PV arrays for power beaming. Caltech’s SSPD-1 tested orbital power beaming in mid-2023, but end-to-end efficiency remains extremely low. Ascent’s CIGS modules, used on NASA’s Psyche probe, target over 17% efficiency and weigh about 10 grams per panel. Large ground farms and strict beam-control are required for safety and regulation.
