Progress in establishing a laser power beaming facility at China Lake, California

First steps are now being taken to install a prototype laser power-beaming facility in the mountains near China Lake, California. A matching grant has been received from the State of California to establish the infrastructure necessary to fund the construction of a prototype laser power-beaming facility by private capital. The U.S. Navy and several major national laboratories have joined with the city of Ridgecrest, California and its citizens to contribute matching in-kind funding and to participate in the preparations needed for construction of such a facility. An environmental study is required before site approval can be obtained from the Navy at the highest levels. That process has begun and the requirements needed to create this new type of space utility industry in California are being addressed.