What is the near-term state of the art in research or testing for space-based power beaming?

The Homeland Defense & Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) was asked to provide information on the status of recent technical demonstrations, research and development, and/or other efforts to advance the field of space-based solar-power (SBSP) beaming. In response, HDIAC partnered with KeyLogic to survey recent efforts that have performed experimental trials or demonstrated the operation of SBSP components or architectures while in orbit and to summarize what technical and economic challenges are currently faced by the near-term expansion and operational deployment of functional SBSP systems for energy industry or military use. To achieve this, KeyLogic and HDIAC reviewed reports and studies from the U.S. Department of Defense, other governmental entities, peer-reviewed academic journals, and comments submitted to HDIAC from members of its network of external subject matter experts.