Abstract
The most observable leakage radiation from an advanced civilization may
well be from the use of power beaming to transfer energy and accelerate
spacecraft. Applications suggested for power beaming involve
Earth–to-space applications such as launching spacecraft to orbit,
raising satellites to a higher orbit, and interplanetary concepts
involving space–to–space transfers of cargo or passengers. We also
quantify beam-driven launch to the outer solar system, interstellar
precursors and ultimately starships. We estimate the principal
observable parameters of power beaming leakage. Such beams would be
visible over large interstellar distances. This implies a new approach
to the SETI search: Instead of focusing on narrowband beacon
transmissions generated by another civilization, look for more powerful
beams with much wider bandwidth This requires a new approach for their
discovery by telescopes on Earth. Further studies of power beaming
applications should be done, which could broaden the parameter space of
observable features we have discussed here. By observing leakage from
power beams we may well find a message embedded on the beam.