Study of Lunar Orbiting Space Solar Power Satellite
- Paper number
IAC-05-C3.4-D2.8.05
- Author
Dr. Mitsushige Oda, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Masahiro Mori, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The moon exploration is now receiving high interests by many people in the world. Major interest of the current moon explorations are search for resources in the polar region of the moon. It is said that water might exist in the polar regions, especially in the bottom of the Crater where the Sun light dose not shine on. In order to search resources at such dark areas by some kind of robotic system, some kind of energy supply system is necessary. JAXA is studying the lunar polar orbiting solar power satellite for such missions. JAXA is studying the microwave based and laser based space solar power system for years. The study intents to realize large scale (more than 1GW class) solar power satellites on the geostationary Earth orbit within 20 to 30 years. Such large systems require the step by step technology development and demonstrations. The lunar polar orbiting solar power satellite is considered as a precursor for the future Earth orbiting solar power satellite and also energy supplier for the lunar exploration activities. Idea of the lunar polar orbiting solar power satellite is to place three or four solar power collection and transmission satellites in the polar orbit around the moon by the international cooperation. JAXA’s idea is to develop the laser based energy collection / transmission satellite that can be carried by the H-IIA rocket. The H-IIA rocket can place a few tons class satellite in the polar orbit of the moon. The satellite will collect the solar energy by the solar collection mirrors and generate laser beam by the direct solar pumping. The laser beam will be directed toward rover(s) and/or energy station(s) on the lunar surface. Steering of the laser beam will be established by the similar way of the laser beam based communication link that will be demonstrated in orbit using JAXA’s Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS). At the conference, detailed mission scenario, system engineering result of the polar orbiting mission.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-C3.4-D2.8.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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