Systems and Communications Commons^™

Solar Power Satellite Development: Advances In Modularity And Mechanical Systems, W. Keith Belvin, John T. Dorsey, Judith J. Watson

Online Journal of Space Communication

Space solar power satellites require innovative concepts in order to achieve economically and technically feasible designs. The mass and volume constraints of current and planned launch vehicles necessitate highly efficient structural systems be developed. In addition, modularity and in-space deployment will be enabling design attributes. This paper reviews the current challenges of launching and building very large space systems. A building block approach is proposed in order to achieve near-term solar power satellite risk reduction while promoting the necessary long-term technology advances. Promising mechanical systems technologies anticipated in the coming decades including modularity, material systems, structural concepts, and in-space operations …

Alternative Orbits: A New Space Solar Power Reference Design, Royce Jones

Online Journal of Space Communication

This paper offers a new space solar power reference design based on an elliptical 3-Hour sub-Molniya orbit. Most studies of space-based solar power (SBSP) systems to date have assumed that satellite stationing and photovoltaic (PV) solar energy conversion will take place in geostationary orbit (GEO). This paper argues that GEO/PV systems are not the most feasible solutions for SBSP, not technically and not economically.

Thirty six thousand kilometers above earth is a logical destination for a number of reasons, but that orbit is already largely committed. What is more, this great height and the mass and number of space solar …

Deploying Sunsats, Philip K. Chapman

Online Journal of Space Communication

This paper outlines an analysis of the cost of launching Solar Power Satellites, using launch technology available today. The economies of scale implied by any significant utilization of this energy source will reduce these costs to a level where they contribute less than 2.5¢/kWh to the cost of electric power produced by the system. The only major technical innovation that is needed is the introduction of reusable launch vehicles. While there is certainly room for improvements that would offer even lower costs, the conclusion is that the cost of spaceflight is not a serious impediment to realizing the advantages of …

Low Cost Access To Space Is Key To Solar Power Satellite Deployment, Ralph Nansen

Online Journal of Space Communication

Even though the concept of Solar Power Satellites (SPS) was first proposed in 1968, development has not happened because of the massive initial investment in infrastructure required. The principal infrastructure constraint is in the transportation segment. When the space transportation costs are sufficiently low, we can count on the cost of energy from space to be as low as hydroelectric energy. There is no limit to how much energy can be generated; as long as the sun shines, a clean source of energy is available in space. With improved systems of transport, Solar Power Satellites can be the world's next …

Why Has Sps R&D Received So Little Funding?, Karen Cramer Shea

Online Journal of Space Communication

Solar Power Satellite (SPS) research and development has received little funding over the 40 years since the concept was first introduced. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have each hosted and then cancelled space solar power programs because they didn't fit their mandates. It is time to broaden our search for agencies to fund SPS R&D, to find an agency that deals with both space and energy. Another problem faced by space-based solar power advocates is that launch costs are too high for SPS to be affordable. The launch market is currently …

Sunsats: The Next Generation Of Comsats, Don Flournoy

Online Journal of Space Communication

No solar power satellites (SunSats) are yet in operation. While all space-based satellites host some type of solar collector for the energy needed to power and control them, no satellites are in orbit today for the primary purpose of gathering energy from the sun and delivering it to earth. Because an abundant and sustainable new source of energy is desperately needed on earth and the current level of technological development will now permit it, a huge new satellite sector is about to emerge relaying energy from space to the ground where it will be used as electricity.

The logical path …

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.

Resampling And Super-Resolution Of Hexagonally Sampled Images Using Deep Learning, Dylan Flaute, Russell C. Hardie, Hamed Elwarfalli

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Super-resolution (SR) aims to increase the resolution of imagery. Applications include security, medical imaging, and object recognition. We propose a deep learning-based SR system that takes a hexagonally sampled low-resolution image as an input and generates a rectangularly sampled SR image as an output. For training and testing, we use a realistic observation model that includes optical degradation from diffraction and sensor degradation from detector integration. Our SR approach first uses non-uniform interpolation to partially upsample the observed hexagonal imagery and convert it to a rectangular grid. We then leverage a state-of-the-art convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture designed for SR …

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