A Cost Effective Architecture for Delivering Space Solar Power Systems
- Paper number
IAC-09.C3.3.4
- Author
Dr. Henry W. Brandhorst, Auburn University, United States
- Year
2009
- Abstract
The world is entering a time of energy shortages due to significantly increased demand, increasing fuel prices, and inadequate electrical distribution services. Preventing resource conflicts in the face of increasing global populations and their demands in the 21st century is a high priority issue for the world. A recent report entitled “Space-Based Solar Power as an Opportunity for Strategic Security” issued October 10, 2007 by the U.S. DoD’s National Security Space Office highlighted this critical issue and called for a reexamination of the Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) concept. The NSSO report further emphasized that: “SBSP cannot be constructed without safe, frequent (daily/weekly), cheap, and reliable access to space and ubiquitous in‐space operations. The sheer volume and number of flights into space, and the efficiencies reached by those high volumes is game‐changing. By lowering the cost to orbit so substantially, and by providing safe and routine access, entirely new industries and possibilities open up. Studies have suggested that at least 3000 MT of hardware and systems must be delivered to GEO to enable establishment of a single 1-10 GW SBSP system. With the existing launch capacity of about 25 MT, such a system would require 120 launches. This is a daunting challenge at this time. It is the purpose of this paper to describe a cost-effective transportation architecture that provides that essential breakthrough in cost reduction. It can eliminate the need for new heavy-lift launch vehicles, however, were they to become available, the feasibility of this approach would be enhanced. The architecture for this concept has three major aspects: A low earth orbit propellant depot, a solar electric propulsion-based tug capable of carrying SBSP structure elements, and a number of “propulsion stages”. All these elements are reusable and are sent into a low earth orbit of about 500 km using the emerging range of COTS and commercial launch vehicles. The use of LEO for cargo delivery and spacecraft assembly and launch saves the heavy penalty of direct ascent to GEO. The propellant depot will be refueled as needed and will store a non-cryogenic, low-cost, abundant propellant. Robotic assembly and other operations will be extensively employed and have been demonstrated in the recent U.S. Orbital Express flight. The technologies and infrastructure that this approach uses can indeed have revolutionary impact on the entire space infrastructure and lead to new commercial opportunities and a potential world-wide impact. The results of this study will be presented in the full paper.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)