Why DoD, Silicon Valley now are betting on solar power beaming sats

In 1941, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov published “Reason,” a short story featuring the idea of harvesting the Sun’s rays to create electricity for use on Earth.

It’s an idea that has obvious draw ― and was obviously never going to really happen. Except, over the years, scientists have continued to poke at the concept. After all, if the technology was possible, it could in theory fuel far-flung military bases without the need for expensive, complicated and vulnerable fuel-supply convoys, while making possible “gas stations” for spacecraft voyaging to the Moon and beyond.

And now, 85 years after Asimov’s publication, the Pentagon, as well as a variety of Silicon Valley funders, are taking a much more serious look at the capability.

Read more at Breaking Defense