Publication detail

The Space Based Aircraft Power

ŠPLÍCHAL, M.

English title

The Space Based Aircraft Power

Type

Paper in proceedings (conference paper)

Language

en

Original abstract

The paper presents an alternative concept for propulsion of transport aircraft using externally supplied energy via wireless transmission by laser beam from a space satellite. The paper aims to open a discussion on the feasibility of such an aircraft propulsion concept. It is an innovative idea that has not yet been studied in detail, while there is potential for effective reduction of aviation emissions with the benefit of unlimited range. The feasibility of wireless transmission of solar energy from space to Earth has been intensively investigated for many years. The possibility of implementation is limited primarily by the costs of transporting giant satellites into space. This limit could be addressed by developing reusable systems such as SpaceX’s Starship. The paper evaluates the technological limitations of the proposed concept and assesses its feasibility with existing wireless energy transfer technologies, including a possible method of converting wirelessly transmitted energy into propulsive force. The article does not address the aspects of financial complexity and legislative aspects. Considering the obvious advantages of the entire concept, it is possible to expect sharing of these costs with the defense sector.

Keywords in English

space based aircraft power, laser wireless power transfer, aviation sustainability

Released

2026-06-04

Publisher

IEEE

ISBN

978-80-01-07449-7

Book

New Trends in Civil Aviation

Pages from–to

331–336

Pages count

420

BIBTEX


@inproceedings{BUT211753,
  author="Miroslav {Šplíchal}",
  title="The Space Based Aircraft Power",
  booktitle="New Trends in Civil Aviation",
  year="2026",
  pages="420",
  publisher="IEEE",
  doi="10.23919/NTCA68808.2026",
  isbn="978-80-01-07449-7",
  url="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/servlet/opac?punumber=11524104"
}