Building from scratch

This chapter covers all you need to know to build the Project Elara power system and satellites from scratch. Unlike the past few chapters describing the theoretical foundations of our research, this one is hands-on and meant to allow anyone to build your very own space-based solar power system following our design!

What you’ll need¶

To make your own version of Project Elara’s power system, you will need the below equipment:

• A Prusa 3D printer (we recommend the Prusa MKS4S)

• All the required parts given in the laser parts list

• All the required equipment given in the laser tools & equipment list

• A vacuum chamber and vacuum pump capable of reaching high vacuum ($10^{-4} - 10^{-6} \text{ torr}$); buying a second-hand one is frequently much cheaper than a new one

Basic information to know¶

Project Elara’s power system is fully open-source, with its models and hardware designs split into several repositories on Codeberg:

• Elara laser development for our open-source power transmission laser

• Elara spacecraft development for our solar mirror & power satellite prototypes

• Elara rectenna system for our power receivers, which convert a microwave beam back to electricity

Within this set of chapters, we will discuss how to build each of these systems, and how to combine them to build your own space-based solar power system!