Technology demonstrations and flight experiments validating an optical power infrastructure for Earth-moon space
- Paper number
IAC-05-C3.3.05
- Author
Dr. Richard L. Fork, University of Alabama in Huntsville, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Joe T. Howell, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Rustin Laycock, University of Alabama in Huntsville, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Dane Phillips, University of Alabama in Huntsville, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Purpose: Outline a series of experiments and demonstrations designed to validate strategies and technologies (or identify suitable alternatives to those strategies and technologies) for transforming sunlight to coherent light at high average power (megawatts or more) and using that resource for an optical space power infrastructure in Earth-moon space.
Methodology: We identify four technical advances that appear necessary to producing an optical power infrastructure in Earth-moon space as well as specific experiments and demonstrations designed to validate those technical advances. The four advances are: (1) concentrate sunlight to an integrated power density per unit area that approximates the saturation intensity for a useful laser transition (e.g. 4 kW/cm2 for Nd:YAG) in a volume that matches the lowest order Gaussian mode of free space in a near confocal resonator of practical dimensions (a few meters on a side) having a cross sectional area (e.g., 50 cm2) adequate to produce substantial coherent output power (e.g. 100 kW or more), (2) provide a means of removing waste heat from the laser gain medium in a manner that reduces thermally induced distortion and stress to acceptable levels, (3) identity a specific realizable near confocal resonator of practical dimensions that will selectively and efficiently couple the solar pump power into a lowest order Gaussian mode having the needed cross sectional area, and (4) provide detailed design requirements for a photovoltaic receiver that will transform monochromatic optical power in space into electrical power at efficiencies that approach the theoretical maximum allowed for such devices (e.g. >90
Results: We expect to outline specific experiments and flight projects relevant to validating each of the four essential advances identified above as necessary to an optical power infrastructure in Earth-moon space.
Conclusions: Our analysis indicates that an optical power infrastructure is sufficient, and most likely, necessary as a means of providing safe, affordable and sustainable power anywhere and anytime in Earth-moon space in support of the exploration of Earth-moon space. The experiments and demonstrations we outline are designed to provide the best currently available means of validating pathways to a safe, affordable and sustainable optical power infrastructure in Earth-moon space.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-C3.3.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.