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<p>Technological advancements must keep pace with earth’s rising demand for energy, while minimizing the carbon footprint on earth. One such option is using space based solar (SBS) energy harvesting and radiofrequency (RF) microwave power beaming. In 1968, Dr. Peter Glaser published “Power from the Sun: Its Future”, qualitatively illustrating that SBS from GEO can be, at some time in the future, a solution to solar intermittency on earth. However, the high cost of this option and the drastically reduced cost of terrestrial solar energy combined in leaving this concept as aspirational as a trip to other planets. However, this technology is currently being explored under a renewed prism, to address terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) intermittent but only in high latitude remote areas and to transmit power to spacecraft in various orbits. A catalyst of this renewed interest is the promise of reusable launching vehicles (RLV) in drastically reducing the cost of bringing SBS components on orbit. This paper offers an overview of the current status on SBS research and space industry capabilities and highlights what additional research is needed to increase SBS success. This includes a discussion of reliance of SBS initiatives on RLV to place SBS spacecraft in a designated orbit, as well as the technological, economic, and operational challenges associated with power beaming to earth and other spacecraft. A complete orbital analysis covering three possible orbits, namely LEO, MEO and GEO and assessments of launching costs, satellite coverage, and transmission beaming show that MEO is likely the best orbit for hosting extensive SBS.</p>

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Power from the sun: its future (revisited)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月8日

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  • Anthony Peters,
  • Vasilis Fthenakis

摘要

Technological advancements must keep pace with earth’s rising demand for energy, while minimizing the carbon footprint on earth. One such option is using space based solar (SBS) energy harvesting and radiofrequency (RF) microwave power beaming. In 1968, Dr. Peter Glaser published “Power from the Sun: Its Future”, qualitatively illustrating that SBS from GEO can be, at some time in the future, a solution to solar intermittency on earth. However, the high cost of this option and the drastically reduced cost of terrestrial solar energy combined in leaving this concept as aspirational as a trip to other planets. However, this technology is currently being explored under a renewed prism, to address terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) intermittent but only in high latitude remote areas and to transmit power to spacecraft in various orbits. A catalyst of this renewed interest is the promise of reusable launching vehicles (RLV) in drastically reducing the cost of bringing SBS components on orbit. This paper offers an overview of the current status on SBS research and space industry capabilities and highlights what additional research is needed to increase SBS success. This includes a discussion of reliance of SBS initiatives on RLV to place SBS spacecraft in a designated orbit, as well as the technological, economic, and operational challenges associated with power beaming to earth and other spacecraft. A complete orbital analysis covering three possible orbits, namely LEO, MEO and GEO and assessments of launching costs, satellite coverage, and transmission beaming show that MEO is likely the best orbit for hosting extensive SBS.