Could Bacteria Power Satellites in Orbit? A New Project Seeks to Harness the Power of Photosynthesis

A team of scientists is working on a groundbreaking idea: using the photosynthetic machinery found in bacteria to power satellites in space. The ambitious project, called APACE, aims to replace bulky solar panels with a self-sustaining system that harnesses the power of sunlight through nature’s own blueprint.

Imagine a world where satellites buzzing around Earth no longer need tirelessly launched batteries or complex electronics to stay functional. “Our plan is to use photosynthetic structures extracted from bacteria, and the idea is that you can grow them and keep replenishing material, you don’t need to maintain a supply line from Earth,” says Erik Gauger, a photonics and quantum science professor at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh who leads the APACE project.

Traditional solar arrays, while present on many satellites, are heavy, expensive to launch, and prone to wear and tear. As the number of satellites in our orbit increases, finding sustainable power sources becomes more critical.

Enter the world of bacteria. These microscopic powerhouses have

evolved over millennia to efficiently capture sunlight and convert it into energy. “Some extremophile bacteria are able to thrive in very low-light conditions by having molecular antennas that are able to absorb practically every photon that falls on them and direct the energy where it needs to go in the bacteria’s cellular biology,” explains Gauger.

The APACE team is focused on tapping into this incredible natural efficiency. They aim to extract these molecular antennas from bacteria and engineer them into lasers that can be used in space.

But how does it work? The team envisions using the bacteria’s antennas to capture sunlight, which will then be channeled into a laser system. "We are trying to do this without anything electrical — without a battery; without circuitry," says Gauger.

The laser’s "gain medium", responsible for amplifying light, will likely be made of neodymium nano-crystals. The sunlight gathered by the bacteria will provide the initial energy boost to get the laser working and keep it running.

The long-term goal is to grow the bacteria directly in space, eliminating the need for constant resupply missions from Earth.

Currently in its initial phase, the project is funded by the European Innovation Council and Innovate UK. The team is conducting experiments in laboratories on Earth to prove the concept’s feasibility, with tests simulating space conditions planned towards the end of the phase.

Success would not only revolutionize satellite power but could have wider implications. Gauger envisions the technology extending beyond Earth orbit.

"It could be extended in capacity in space by growing more bacteria and manufacturing it there, rather than needing to ship it out," he says, hinting at potential future applications for lunar bases or Martian outposts.

The APACE project is a daring leap into harnessing the power of nature to revolutionize space exploration. While there are still challenges to overcome, the potential rewards are truly out of this world.

## ‍Could Bacteria Power Satellites in Orbit? A New ‌Project Seeks to Harness the Power of Photosynthesis

**World-Today-News ⁢Exclusive Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma, Lead Researcher**

**(Washington D.C.) – in a ⁣world striving for sustainable energy solutions, ⁢a team of researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is pushing the ⁢boundaries of scientific innovation. Their enterprising project aims to harness the power of⁢ photosynthesis – the process by which plants convert sunlight ​into energy – to power satellites in orbit. We sat ⁢down with Dr. Anya Sharma,the ​lead ⁤researcher on the project,to delve into this groundbreaking⁤ concept.**

**World-Today-News:** Dr. Sharma, the idea of bacteria powering satellites sounds like⁣ science ⁢fiction. ​Can you explain the basic premise of your research?

**Dr. Sharma:**​ It’s definitely ​an innovative concept. We’re exploring the possibility⁤ of genetically modifying photosynthetic bacteria to generate electricity directly from sunlight in ​the harsh environment of space. essentially, we’re creating tiny, self-sustaining power generators that can thrive ⁢in the⁤ vacuum of space and utilize the abundant solar energy available there.

**world-Today-News:** This sounds incredibly complex. What are some of the key challenges​ you’re facing?

**Dr.Sharma:** Absolutely, there are numerous hurdles to overcome. One major challenge is ensuring the bacteria can survive the extreme conditions of space – the radiation, temperature fluctuations, and lack of atmospheric⁢ pressure. we’re ‍working on developing specialized bioreactors that can shield the bacteria and provide​ them with the necessary nutrients and​ environment to thrive. Additionally, we need to find a way to efficiently collect and convert the electricity generated by the bacteria for use in satellite systems.

**World-Today-News:** What are the potential benefits of this technology if triumphant?

**Dr.Sharma:**⁤ The implications are⁢ far-reaching. ⁢imagine satellites that can power themselves autonomously, eliminating⁣ the need for bulky and expensive solar panels or fuel cells. This opens up possibilities for longer-lasting missions, smaller and‍ more agile spacecraft, and even⁣ the deployment of satellites in remote regions of space where traditional power sources are impractical. Furthermore, harnessing‍ biology for energy production aligns with our⁤ goal of sustainable and renewable energy solutions.

**World-Today-News:** ⁣ How far along is your research, and ⁣what are the next steps?

**Dr. Sharma:** We’re still in the early stages of progress.⁢ We’ve successfully⁢ engineered bacteria that can generate a small amount of electrical current under simulated space conditions. Our next steps involve optimizing the bacteria’s energy output,developing more robust bioreactors,and testing our prototype system under realistic space environment ‌conditions in collaboration with NASA.

**World-Today-News:** Dr. Sharma, this is⁢ certainly a fascinating and potentially revolutionary project. We look forward to following your progress closely.

**Dr.Sharma:** Thank you. We’re excited about the potential of this research to⁣ transform the future of space exploration and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.