Solar Power Satellite

ABSTRACT — The concept of placing enormous solar power satellite (SPS) systems in space represents one of a handful of new technological options that might provide large-scale, environmentally clean base load power into terrestrial markets. In the United States, the SPS concept was examined extensively during the late 1970s by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). More recently, the subject of space solar power (SSP) was re-examined by NASA from 1995-1997 in the “Fresh Look Study ” and during 1998 in an SSP “Concept Definition Study. ” As a result of these efforts, in 1999-2000, NASA undertook the SSP Exploratory Research and Technology (SERT) program, which pursued preliminary strategic technology research and development to enable large, multimegawatt SSP systems and wireless power transmission (WPT) for government missions and commercial markets (in space and terrestrial). During 2001-2002, NASA has been pursuing an SSP Concept and Technology Maturation (SCTM) [1] program follow-up to the SERT, with special emphasis on identifying new, high-leverage technologies that might advance the feasibility of future SSP systems. I