Space Solar Power

Space based solar power essentially consists of three elements.

Space solar power. Collecting solar energy in space with reflectors or inflatable mirrors onto solar cells or heaters for thermal systems wireless power transmission to earth via microwave or laser receiving power on earth via a rectenna a microwave. The spider project space solar power incremental demonstrations and research or sspidr is actually building on technology created decades ago. Low cost environmentally friendly launch vehicles.

Expendable launch vehicles have been too expensive and at high. Dod has a history of on again off again interest in space based solar power as an unlimited energy source since the early 2000s. Large scale in orbit construction and operations.

These panels convert solar power into either a microwave or a laser and beam uninterrupted power down to earth. Collecting solar power in space and transmitting the energy wirelessly to earth through microwaves enables terrestrial power availability unaffected by weather or time of day. Integration of solar power and rf conversion in one element avoids a power distribution network throughout the structure further reducing weight and complexity.

The now defunct national security space office commissioned a. The technologies and infrastructure required to make space solar power feasible include. Photovoltaic beaming or wireless power.

In april of 2015 a research agreement. To gather massive quantities of energy. A space based solar power system could provide energy to everyone even in places that don t receive sunlight all year round like northern europe and russia.

Ssp is a simple idea pictured above. Our concept is based on the modular assembly of ultralight foldable 2d integrated elements. This session will review the most recent design and feasibility studies advances in critical power transmission technologies and the latest thinking in architectural concepts.