Archimedes Platform Successfully Tested by Above: Space and Electric Sky

Archimedes Platform Successfully Tested by Above: Space and Electric Sky
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 28, 2023
In a significant advancement for space technology, Above: Space Development, in collaboration with Electric Sky, has successfully tested the Archimedes platform, a novel, rapidly deployable, free-flying on-orbit system. This platform marks a new era in space infrastructure, encompassing a wide range of functions including solar panels, beamed power, and electronically steerable antenna arrays for communications and monitoring.

Rhonda Stevenson, CEO of Above: Space, highlighted the platform's capabilities, stating, "Above: Space conducted a flawless ground-test of our efficient, rapidly deliverable Archimedes platform that will feature extremely flat surfaces for commercial and critical applications." She emphasized the strategic importance of Archimedes in both commercial activities and tactical missions, underscoring its potential to maintain readiness and strategic high ground in the cislunar domain.

The Archimedes system is a significant breakthrough, particularly in its capacity to beam Megawatt (MW) power levels from the ground to orbit, addressing a critical need for future space industry initiatives. This technology is pivotal for energy-intensive, on-orbit manufacturing, communications, and other commercial activities. It also plays a crucial role in organizations focusing on phased domain communications, C3 capabilities, and tactical applications, including space-based radar and other detection techniques.

Electric Sky's demonstration of power beaming technology showcased the feasibility of transferring electric energy wirelessly using adapted radio-frequency technology. Robert Millman, CEO of Electric Sky, explained the process, "Our ground transmitter uses radio waves to move low power through the lower atmosphere, then self-focuses those waves at high altitude to deliver higher power to a space platform." This innovation makes megawatts of power available for various high-power applications in space.

Millman further explained the benefits of this technology, noting its potential to revolutionize civilization's access to power in space. The combination of Electric Sky's transmission technique and the versatility of the Archimedes platform is set to enable a myriad of applications, including high-power electric propulsion, active sensors, edge computing, and in-space construction.

Stevenson also mentioned the strategic implications of their partnership with Electric Sky, pointing out the profound impact on the defense of critical on-orbit assets, climate science, and communications. She added, "We are already close to our next iteration of Archimedes with even more groundbreaking technology demonstrations in the near future."

The development of the Archimedes platform is partially funded by the U.S. Space Force, underlining the government's recognition of its strategic importance. The Space Force, a distinct branch of the armed services, focuses on space warfare and operations, suggesting that Archimedes could play a crucial role in future space-based defense strategies.