China Wants to Remotely Recharge ‘Drone Swarms’ From Orbit
China's Xidian University is advancing a project to develop a space-based solar power plant that can recharge drones in flight. The prototype has successfully delivered power wirelessly to moving and stationary targets, achieving notable efficiency improvements. This technology aims to support both civilian and military applications, with future tests planned in orbit.
- ▪Researchers at Xidian University have developed a solar power plant capable of recharging drones while in flight.
- ▪The prototype achieved a wireless power transmission efficiency of 20.8% over a distance of 100 meters.
- ▪The project has potential applications in disaster relief and military operations.
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| Original publisher | Gizmodo |
| Canonical URL | https://gizmodo.com/china-wants-to-remotely-recharge-drone-swarms-from-orbit-2000762096 |
| Publication time | Thu, 21 May 2026 19:25:58 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-21T19:31:35.709Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-21T19:31:35.709Z |
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Governments and private companies are racing to master the art of space-based refueling, whether the goal is recharging satellites or reloading spacecraft with a full tank of fresh chemical propellant. U.S. Space Force, to cite just one example, has awarded tens of millions of dollars to private contractors promising orbital fueling stations capable of delivering hydrazine to its space-based…
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