Solar power satellites: our next generation of satellites will deliver the sun's energy to Earth

Don M. Flournoy

doi:10.1117/12.855570

2 April 2010 Solar power satellites: our next generation of satellites will deliver the sun's energy to Earth

Don M. Flournoy

Proceedings Volume 7651, International Conference on Space Information Technology 2009; 76513O (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.855570
Event: International Conference on Space Information Technology 2009, 2009, Beijing, China

Abstract

The paper addresses the means for gathering energy from sunlight in space and transmitting it to Earth via Solar Power Satellites. The motivating factor is that the output of our sun is the largest potential energy source available, with the capability of providing inexhaustible quantities of clean electrical energy to every location on Earth. The challenge is that considerable financial, intellectual and diplomatic resources must be focused on designing and implementing new types of energy infrastructures in space and on the ground. These include: 1) next-generation space platforms, arrays, and power transmission systems; 2) more flexible and powerful launch vehicles for delivering materials to space; 3) specialized receivers, converters and storage systems on earth, and the in-orbit position allocations, spectrum and software that make these systems work together efficiently and safely.

Citation Download Citation

Don M. Flournoy "Solar power satellites: our next generation of satellites will deliver the sun's energy to Earth", Proc. SPIE 7651, International Conference on Space Information Technology 2009, 76513O (2 April 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.855570

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