For Project Elara, being able to make smooth, precisely-machined parabolic reflectors is essential to maximizing the efficiency of our power system. The two types of parabolic reflectors that we are primarily concerned with are:
- Solar mirrors, which need to be parabolic in shape to focus sunlight correctly
- Parabolic dishes for ground stations, equipped with antennas to receive power from space
Solar parabolic mirrors
See Solar mirror engineering for more information.
Microwave parabolic antennas
Please see Rectenna and antenna physics for more information.