Bacteria Could Hold the Key to Space-Based Lasers

Space Lasers Powered by Bacteria? Scientists Aim for a Revolutionary Energy Source

Scientists are exploring an out-of-this-world solution to the growing energy needs of satellites orbiting our planet. Imagine solar-powered lasers, fueled by the photosynthetic machinery of bacteria. This groundbreaking concept, developed by an international team of researchers for the APACE project, could pave the way for a sustainable, self-sufficient power source in space.

The project, spearheaded by Erik Gauger, a professor at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, aims to harness the unique properties of bacteria to convert sunlight directly into laser energy.

"Our key idea is to replace the concentrating optics with the photosynthetic antenna complexes," Gauger explains.

This innovative approach eliminates the need for bulky and complex solar arrays that are currently used to power satellites.

Harnessing Biological Powerhouses

The beauty of this technology lies in its simplicity and sustainability. Bacteria have evolved over billions of years to capture sunlight with remarkable efficiency. Some extremophile bacteria, for instance, thrive in extremely low-light conditions, thanks to their highly efficient molecular antennas. These antennas can capture practically every photon that falls on them and direct the energy where it is needed within the bacteria’s cellular biology.

The APACE project seeks to tap into this natural power source. The researchers plan to extract these highly efficient antennas from bacteria and integrate them into a laser system. Sunlight captured by the bacterial antennas would then provide the photons needed to stimulate the laser’s gain medium, potentially made from neodymium nano-crystals.

This unique setup could bypass the need for conventional batteries and intricate circuitry typically used in solar-powered systems.

"In our case, we are trying to do this without anything electrical — without a battery; without circuitry," Gauger highlights, "The biological, photosynthesizing apparatus automatically converts the sunlight into a laser without needing all that machinery."

A Truly Sustainable Solution

The potential benefits of this technology are enormous.

Currently, satellites rely on relatively large and heavy solar panels transported from Earth. This process is costly and unsustainable in the long term. The APACE technology could address these issues.

"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," Gauger emphasizes.

The possibility even exists to grow the bacteria itself in space, perhaps on the International Space Station or on a dedicated satellite, further reducing reliance on Earth-based resources.

While a prototype launch is still a way off, requiring additional funding and the successful completion of the project’s initial phase, the potential applications are inspiring. Power beaming – transmitting energy wirelessly from space – could become more efficient and cost-effective.

This technology could not only power satellites but also potentially beam energy down to lunar bases, Martian outposts, or anywhere else humans venture in space.