Energy Transmitting System on the Moon Energy is transmitted by laser from the Moon to relay satellites (in geostationary orbit) to power-receiving stations (on Earth). The distance between the Moon and the relay satellites is approximately 300,000 km, and thus it is important to finely control the diffusion of beam. For that purpose, a short wavelength laser, that is, a laser in the ultraviolet region, is required. The use of short wavelength laser makes compact both the laser transmitter on the Moon and the receiver (antenna) on the relay satellites. At present, the efficiency of energy conversion from electricity to laser light is too low, and much energy is lost as heat. Accordingly, consideration is given to the improvement of efficiency by recovering lost heat and using it again for power generation. However, the development of a laser oscillator with high conversion efficiency will be a priority subject for the future. At the ultimate stage, development of a direct nuclear pumping laser system [2] is expected for the nuclear reactor, in which nuclear energy is converted directly into laser light, not using the process from nuclear energy to electricity and then to laser light. In any case, energy will be transmitted from the Moon to the relay satellites in geostationary orbit using a laser system.
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