Smaller Concentrated SBSP Satellites in Sun-Synchronous Orbit
- Paper number
IAC-16,C3,1,5,x32410
- Coauthor
Mr. Ali Baghchehsara, VDev Systems and Services, DLR Hamburg, Hochschule Bremen, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Danny Royce Jones, Mexico
- Year
2016
- Abstract
This is an introduction to the idea we are developing for having smaller satellites launched to come closer to the space for Space Based Solar Power feasibility border. This concept uses photovoltaic cells designed for specific bandgaps. This combination of high efficiency, high solar concentration, low orbits and small satellites provides a solution to the cost effective development of SBSP. With an investment of approximately $1 billion these designs could be orbiting in less than ten years. Note that this one time funding level for development is only half of one year’s funding for “clean coal” demonstrations proposed in the US and 1/60th the amount spent each year in the European Union on Cap and Trade. This estimated investment only covers the development cost as the operational satellites would be leased to Countries, States, Major Cities and Private Energy Companies. This approach provides an almost unlimited access to capital. It is envisioned that there would be a total of forty rectenna with twenty around the equator and twenty in the north receiving a total of 20,000 megawatts of power from two satellite constellations of 100 satellites each. This does however create a unique problem as there is no launch service provider that can place that many satellites into orbit in a reasonable timeframe without substantial new investment in launch capability. At most we could expect to launch five satellites each year based on existing launch capability of any single provider. Therefore, it would take forty years to complete both constellations without substantial new space lift capability. We think a solution can be found in the use of Elliptical Orbits. Due to the second Kepler law of planetary motion, the satellite spends about two thirds of the time near its apogee where it provides what is very close to a stationary perspective centered over the high latitudes. A PowerSat operating in a low Molniya orbit can achieve a utilization rate of 70%.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)