The International Planetary Sunshade – A Space-based Climate Mitigation Concept Combining In-space Manufacturing and Assembly with the Integration of Space Resources
- Paper number
GLOC-2023,T,IP,x75036
- Author
Mr. Tharshan Maheswaran, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Johannes Ganzmann, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Denis Acker, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Uwe Brauer, Planetary Sunshade Foundation, Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Stefanos Fasoulas, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Year
2023
- Abstract
Space-based sunshades intend to temporally limit the increase in global warming to provide sufficient time for the energy transition. The concept involves placing large, lightweight structures, preferably made from space resources, between Sun and Earth to block a small fraction of sunlight from reaching Earth by reflecting it into space. Indeed, in-space manufacturing and assembly (ISMA) could enable the production of large, load-optimized structures in Earth orbits using materials and resources that are available in the space environment, such as lunar or asteroidal materials, rather than launching them fully assembled from the ground. The International Planetary Sunshade (IPSS) concept focuses therefore on an evolutionary design for a fleet of large sunshades manufactured and assembled in space to achieve a sustainable design through the progressive integration of space resources and innovative technologies. These sunshades would be arranged in a specific formation to create a composite shade that could provide controlled shading while considering regional along with seasonal fluctuations. The logistical platform includes robotic and autonomous systems, gathering and transporting the processed raw materials to logistic hubs, and ISMA equipment fabricating and assembling sunshade structures based on additive manufacturing methods. The evolutionary sunshade design allows for material variation and progressive advancement to a multi-layer structure tailored for specific wavelengths of sunlight. A final configuration could also provide a scalable, modular system architecture for a space-based solar power satellite capable of terrestrial and lunar services. The complexity of the overall system requires a comprehensive analysis of the technological and logistical challenges. Based on the evolutionary sunshade design, allowing design adaptations depending on the time urgency and the technological maturity, a technological roadmap linked to a modular logistics concept has been developed, providing initial key parameters for potential sunshade architectures. Additional models are under development to support initial estimates including energy, costs, and risk aspects. The overarching vision of the system analysis is to provide an advanced understanding of an evolutionary sunshade concept to also improve acceptance in society. Additionally, it should indicate to space agencies and industry the potential technological synergies between current exploration targets and climate actions to enable an alignment with terrestrial climate actions to address the climate crisis.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
GLOC-2023,T,IP,x75036.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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