Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Disruptive Technology: A Space-Based Solar Power Industry Forecast, Kristin Medin

Online Journal of Space Communication

Space-based solar power (SBSP) is an emerging industry whose objective is to relieve the world of its crippling dependence on fossil fuels. However, beyond energy and climate change, this business is rarely considered for its potentially positive impact on future society. Large-scale efforts at commercialization of innovations have long been dependent on collaborations between government and private sectors, addressing public need. What the Transcontinental Railroad did for the American economy in the 1800's is an example: this technological breakthrough spawned the Industrial Revolution. In the 2000's, space technologies and their industries have demonstrated the potential for a similar revolutionary influence. …

Space Solar Vs Base Load Ground Solar And Wind Power, John K. Strickland Jr.

Online Journal of Space Communication

This paper attempts direct comparisons between ground-based solar and wind electrical power generation systems and those of Space Solar. Ground solar and wind are the two major popularly proposed replacements for carbon-based energy. Potentially, these could become very large base load electrical power sources due to: 1) their current political recognition as the desired replacement sources and 2) to their widespread availability. However, they have severe physical limitations. For Space Solar, only those aspects that are critical for valid comparisons to the ground based systems are give attention. The focus is primarily on physical comparisons, such as actual areas of …

Costs, Organization, And Roadmap For Ssp, Peter J. Schubert

Online Journal of Space Communication

Space Solar Power will be too expensive until it is too late to afford it. Politicians shy away from projects that last longer than they will remain in office. Governments are reluctant to fund projects where there are no short-term paybacks. Militaries will not sponsor work that cannot be used to fight wars. Corporate investment in long-term projects without a proven return are unlikely. Environmentalists, status quo defenders, and established energy interests alike will resist large-scale projects, driving up costs and costing time. There is presently no consensus on an optimal SSP architecture; nor is there an agreed-upon cost; nor …

Solar Power Satellites Research In China, Ji Gao, Xinbin Hou, Li Wang

Online Journal of Space Communication

In its long-term vision, the responsibility for ensuring China's food safety for its huge population, meeting its international obligations for environmental protection and providing the structure for its energy needs have determined that the direction of future development of low-carbon energy sources cannot be to sacrifice the "inner" earth. Thus, the state has decided that power coming from outside of the earth, such as solar power and development of other space energy resources, is to be China's future direction.

Space based solar power (SBSP), and the development of solar power satellites (SPS) to facilitate renewable energy production, is one of …

Sustaining India's Economic Growth, Raghavan Gopalaswami

Online Journal of Space Communication

Depleting fossil fuel reserves and the tangible impact of climate change have mandated nations to review national energy-mix policies. The Government of India's target of 7% GDP growth rate will require 1,476 GW installed power capacity by 2052. But historical constraints since 1951 on growth of power capacity (like land acquisition, water, fuel supply chains and silting of dams) have limited power capacity growth in India to a maximum 4GW/year. Should these historical constraints continue into the future as "business-as-usual" scenarios, just 472 GW would have been realized by 2052, effectively slowing India's GDP growth rate to 3.5% per annum. …

Global Warming In Perspective Understanding Climate Change In A World Of Contradictory Information, John K. Strickland Jr.

Online Journal of Space Communication

This article attempts to answer some fundamental global warming (GW) questions in as clear and balanced a way as possible. It touches on the current media and political discussion of the topic, an understanding of which has become integral to understanding the topic itself. This discussion is presented in light of the frequent use of the global warming crisis as an argument against all uses and sources of energy, clean or dirty, by rich and poor. The extremely large untapped energy source represented by Space Solar Power is offered as a potential long-term solution.

Energy Costs Eliminated By Satellite System, Joleroy Gauger

Online Journal of Space Communication

Successfully implementing a Solar Power Satellite Program will take a multi-discipline, multi-national, geopolitical effort. Planning for that level of complexity must begin now. This article gives the principal reasons for going to space for "free power," and seeks to illustrate some of that complexity. Solar energy is "free", just like the water in a hydroelectric system. There is no cost for fuel.

The sun delivers energy to earth at the rate of 1.37 kilowatts per square meter during daylight hours. This amounts to 174 petawatts (one petawatt is 10 to the fifteenth power). About 89 petawatts reach the earth's surface. …

Harnessing The Sun: Embarking On Humanity's Next Giant Leap, Feng Hsu

Online Journal of Space Communication

It has become increasingly evident that facing and solving the multiple issues concerning energy is the single most pressing problem that we face as a species. In recent years, there has been extensive debate and media coverage about alternative energy, sustainable development and global climate change, but what has been missing (at least in the mainstream media) is the knowledge and point of view of scientists and engineers. From the scientists or engineers perspective, this paper discusses the prospects for mankind's technological capability and societal will in harnessing solar energy, and focuses on the issues of: 1) space based solar …

Issue 16: From The Guest Editor, Ralph Nansen

Online Journal of Space Communication

Guest editor Ralph Nansen introduces the issue.

Profile Of Zhang Yan, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Zhang Yan, Gen. Manager, CITICSat and Chief Rep., Asiasat

Profile Of Dianne J. Vanbeber, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Dianne J. VanBeber, V.P., Investor Relations, Corporate & Marketing Communications, Intelsat

Profile Of Barbara Warren, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Barbara Warren, Systems Analyst, International Telecommunication Union

Profile Of Marjorie Rhodes Townsend, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Marjorie Rhodes Townsend, Satellite Communications Consultant

Profile Of Diane Tryneski, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Diane Tryneski, Senior V.P., Broadcast & Studio Operations, HBO

Profile Of Synette Tom, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Synette Tom, Marketing Dir., Sales, Space Systems/Loral, Inc.

Profile Of Leslie Taylor, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Leslie Taylor, Strategic Planning Division Office of Spectrum Management, NTIA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce

Profile Of Nicole P. Stott, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Nicole P. Stott, Astronaut, NASA

Profile Of Bambi Taskarelli, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Bambi Taskarelli, Voice/Data Engineer, NBCU

Profile Of Pascale Sourisse, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Pascale Sourisse, Gen. Manager, Land & Joint Systems Division, Thales

Profile Of Andy Steinem, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Andy Steinem, CEO, Dahl-Morrow International

Profile Of Gwynne Shotwell, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Gwynne Shotwell, President, SpaceX

Profile Of Marcia Smith, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Marcia Smith, President, Space Technology Policy Group, LLC

Profile Of Jacqueline Schenkel, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Jacqueline Schenkel, Founder, Schenkel & Associates, LLC

Profile Of Kay Sears, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Kay Sears, President of Intelsat General

Profile Of Farah Suhanah Ahmad Sarji, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Farah Suhanah Ahmad Sarji, General Counsel, MEASAT, Malaysia

Profile Of Walda Roseman, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Walda Roseman, Founder and CEO of CompassRose International, Inc.

Profile Of Veena Rawat, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Veena Rawat, Dr. Veena Rawat, President of the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC)

Profile Of Josyln Read, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Josyln Read, V.P., Regulatory Affairs, SES Americom - SES New Skies

Profile Of Marilyn Quagliotti, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of Marilyn Quagliotti, Retired Major General, Army

Profile Of Radhika Ramachandran, Mary Frost

Online Journal of Space Communication

Profile of and interview with Dr. Radhika Ramachandran, Counsellor (SPACE), ISRO Technical Liaison Officer Embassy of India, Paris