BRIGHT HARVEST: POWERING EARTH FROM SPACE follows the incredible journey of three Caltech professors who came together over a decade ago to solve a problem. How do you power Earth from space, to provide an endless supply of clean sustainable energy?

Initially envisioned in a short story by visionary author Issac Asimov, the three scientists and their team set out to transform what was once thought of as science fiction… into science fact.

Join Harry Atwater, Ali Hajimiri and Sergio Pellegrino as they push the boundaries of innovation on a cutting-edge mission to launch the first space based solar prototype into orbit. An audacious dream that promises to revolutionize the world’s energy landscape
and offer a bright future for humanity.

The hard work and dedication of the brilliant scientists at Caltech have advanced our dream of providing the world with abundant, reliable, and affordable power for the benefit of all humankind.” Donald Bren

​Philanthropist Donald Bren, chairman of Irvine Company first learned about space-based solar energy as a young boy after reading an article in Popular Science magazine. Inspired and intrigued by the concept, the dream of powering Earth from space never left his mind, and in 2011 he approached Caltech with the idea of funding a bold research project with the hope of turning his childhood dream into a reality.

Thus began the Space-based Solar Power Project spanning over a decade, spearheaded by Harry Atwater, Ali Hajimiri and Sergio Pellegrino resulting in a revolutionary approach to powering Earth from space. And in 2023, the Space Solar Power Demonstrator was launched into orbit to test and showcase three key technological advancements critical to making space-based solar power possible.

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The demonstration platform successfully transmitted power wirelessly in space, evaluated the performance, efficiency, and durability of a variety of solar cells in the harsh conditions of outer space, and tested a lightweight, deployable structure designed to support both the solar cells and power transmitters.

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But it was a secret fourth experiment that made the news. On a cool clear evening in May 2023, Ali Hajimiri and his team of students gathered on the roof of Moore Laboratory and waited patiently for a signal from space. Despite lasting only a few seconds - the microwave signal marked a major milestone towards realizing the dream to harvest solar energy in space and beam it wirelessly down to earth.

Anytime Anywhere.