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Wireless Power Transmission Options for Space Solar PowerSpace Solar Power (SSP), combined with Wireless Power Transmission (WPT), offers the far-term potential to solve major energy problems on Earth. In this paper two basic WPT options, using radio waves and light waves, are considered for both long-term and near-term SSP applications. In the long-term, we aspire to beam energy to Earth from geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), or even further distances in space. Accordingly, radio- and light- wave WPT options are compared through a wide range of criteria, each showing certain strengths. In the near-term, we plan to beam power over more moderate distances, but still stretch the limits of today's technology. For the near-term, a 100 kWe-class 'Power Plug' Satellite and a 10 kWe-class Lunar Polar Solar Power outpost are considered as the first steps in using these WPT options for SSP. By using SSP and WPT technology in near-term space science and exploration missions, we gain experience needed for sound decisions in designing and developing larger systems to send power from Space to Earth.
Document ID
20020091865
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Henley, Mark (Boeing Co. United States)
Potter, Seth (Boeing Co. United States)
Howell, Joseph (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Mankins, John (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
IAC-02-R.4.08
Report Number: IAC-02-R.4.08
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Astronautical Congress
Location: Houston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: October 17, 2002
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-99140
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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