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Created: 2023-03-11
Updated: 2023-08-17
ESA commissioned in early 2022, two independent cost vs. benefits studies of Space Based Solar Power for terrestrial energy needs from Frazer-Nash in the UK and Roland Berger in Germany.
Solar Power Satellites (SPS) represent a new class of satellites, orders of magnitude larger than any other man made satellite. A SPS in geosynchronous orbit providing 2 GW of power on the Earth will have overall dimensions measured in kilometres and mass in kilo Tonnes.
Given the size of SPS there is a potential for their structural dynamics to couple into their orbit mechanics, leading to the need for orbit correction. In addition to the scale of such structures there is also considerable challenge to be met in maintaining their shape and integrity when on orbit due to the tendency of any large orbiting structure to undergo various dynamically induced deformations.
Solar power satellites (SPS) will be the largest human-made structures ever put into orbit, so it is important to consider how they should be disposed of. The scale of the satellites means that they will be assembled in orbit, most likely using robots. It is therefore likely that the reverse process could be used to reduce the satellites to their constituent modules. There may be the potential for these modules to be repurposed or their constituent materials reused for new applications. This study will investigate the degradation mechanisms that will lead to an SPS reaching the end of its useful life and determine the likely state of the constituent modules. Using this information, the researchers will consider how the modules or materials could be recycled.
X-Charge
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, In-Orbit Data Storage, In-Orbit Computing
Dormant, Early stage
Space Solar Power
1000 Planets
Dormant
Archimedes
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming
Development
Concept
Orbital Solar
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Space Elevator
Early stage
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power
Power Beaming, Space Solar Power
CASSIOPeiA
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power
Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR)
Space Solar Power, Resources - Energy
Orbital Power Corporation
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Lunar Power Service, Resources - Energy
Early stage, Dormant
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid, Space Solar Power
Dormant, Idea
Breakthrough
In-Space Assembly, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), Space Solar Power
Space Solar Power, Robotic Arm, In-Space Assembly, Space Robotics
Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, Resources - Water
SPS-ALPHA
Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Solar Power
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Hardware
Concept, Development
Skybeam
Space Solar Power, In-Space Assembly
Commercial Space Station, Space Tug, Space Tourism Activities, Space Solar Power
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming
Space Tourism Activities, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming
Spacians
Star Catcher Network
Project SEEE
Dormant, Concept
Receiv'Air