The rationale for Wireless Power Transmission (WPT) technology applications is presented to meet the needs of the growing global population. These applications include high‐altitude, long‐endurance aircraft to supplement communication satellites, power relay satellites to acess large‐scale terrestrial renewable energy sources, and solar power satellites to meet global energy demands without increasing stresses on the Earth’s ecology. An overview of past developments and demonstrations of WPT is provided and international activities in Europe, Japan, United States and the former USSR in this field highlighted. These ongoing activities are considered to provide opportunities for a growth path for commercial endeavors with defined milestones so as to gain public acceptance. The conclusion is presented that WPT technologies can provide the impetus for international cooperation to meet global energy demands, and for effective management of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial resources on an unprecedented scale. © 1995American Institute of Physics