The Lunar Grid will provide all actors across the lunar surface with a continuous power supply. By setting up an efficient and agile power distribution network, we will be able to deliver electrical energy at minimal cost and open up a whole new lunar era.
Created: 2021-12-22
Updated: 2023-02-26
The Lunar Grid is developing technology for wireless energy transmission, both for terrestrial and space applications. The transmission will be established over a free-space optical laser link and can reach over several kilometers providing power to remote systems. A specially designed power receptor unit will be utilised to convert the inclining laser light back into electricity and provide electrical energy.
This power beaming technology will be utilised for several terrestrial use cases to provide energy in remote locations and the technology will be upgraded to serve space systems. In particular it will enable advanced operation capabilities for lunar systems, such as rovers/habitats/communication beacons/… and can be scaled towards any extra-terrestrial missions, for example to Mars.
With The Lunar Grid we want to power all lunar missions and provide them with continuous access to energy. In order to accomplish this, we will first focus on deploying our technology on earth for drones to extend their flight time and reduce the costs for observations.
The idea gained traction with the organisers of Luxembourg’s accelerator programme Fit4Start, from which Lunar Grid graduated in the summer of 2022. The programme made Van Baelen reflect on his revenue strategy. He said: “There’s a lot of talk about the moon and mining resources there. But as of today, if we had our product standing on the moon, there would be no customer. For startups it is therefore critical to establish a short term strategy until the lunar economy matures.” The entrepreneur adopted a shorter-term vision of using the technology to increase the flight time of drones on Earth. The team is currently looking to adapt its lunar prototype to distribute energy to drones.
X-Charge
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, In-Orbit Data Storage, In-Orbit Computing
Early stage
Mini Modular Reactor (MMR)
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power
Early stage, Dormant
Orbital Solar
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
LunaGrid
Resources - Energy, Lunar Power Service
Development
Quark
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Orbitron
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power
HEBAM
ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Energy, Hardware
Concept
Resources - Energy
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power
Dormant, Early stage
Eternal Light Photonics Corp
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)
Nuclear Fission Power, Orbital Transportation, Resources - Energy, Hardware, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Helicity Drive
Resources - Energy, Space Tug, Nuclear Fusion Power, In-Space Logistics
ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy, Space Robotics, Robotic Arm
SPRINT, SPEAR
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Solar Thermal Propulsion, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Idea
IX (Intuitive Machines, X-Energy)
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid, Space Solar Power
Litepulse
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Energy
Development, Cancelled
Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid
Dormant, Concept
Farview Observatory
In-Space Manufacturing, Resources - Energy
TerraBox
Resources - Energy, Resources - Oxygen, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing
Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR)
Space Solar Power, Resources - Energy
Resources - Energy, Hardware
P3 (Power, Prospecting and Propellant)
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming
Direct Fusion Drive (DFD)
Nuclear Fission Power, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Resources - Energy
Dormant, Idea
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Hardware
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming
Spacefaring Services
Dormant
Project SEEE
MPR (Mobile Power Rover)
Commercial Rover, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
PULSAR
Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Resources - Energy
Pylon
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power, Commercial Rover, Orbital Transportation
Xe-100 Reactor
X-Wheel
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming
Power Beaming
Electric Moon
Power Beaming, Space Solar Power
CASSIOPeiA
Orbital Logistics Vehicle (OLV)
In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Power Beaming, Space Solar Power
SPS-ALPHA
Receiv'Air