Microwave policy issues for solar space power

This article reviews the three major policy issues likely to arise from an SSP system: environmental safety, frequency allocation and prevention of interference with other frequency-using activities. Supporters of SSP must make sure that their case is heard clearly at the ITU, but they must also do more to promote public awareness of the technology's potential benefits in order to counter inappropriate use of the Precautionary Principle by anti-technology groups. The strengthening of standard-setting groups world-wide will also assist this process.     

The USSR and space power plants

The American idea of a Solar Power Satellite was proposed for the first time in 1968 by Peter Glaser in a famous article in Science. This concept has since been the subject of many theoretical studies, and of some limited practical studies (mainly about microwave energy transmission) in the USA with funding from NASA and the Department of Energy (DOE). Some evaluations have been also conducted in Western Europe, particularly within the European Space Agency (ESA). But very little is generally known about the attitude towards SPS of the second main space power: the USSR. Soviet literature on SPS is much less abundant, but it does exist. Very interesting articles on the subject have been written by leading Soviet space experts. Some of these articles are analysed here, and the practical meanings of the ex[ressed opinions, generally very favourable, are investigated in view of the growing Soviet space capability.     

Sandwich module prototype progress for space solar power

Space solar power (SSP) has been broadly defined as the collection of solar energy in space and its wireless transmission for use on earth. This approach potentially gives the benefit of provision of baseload power while avoiding the losses due to the day/night cycle and tropospheric effects that are associated with terrestrial solar power. Proponents have contended that the implementation of such systems could offer energy security, environmental, and technological advantages to those who would undertake their development. Among recent implementations commonly proposed for SSP, the modular symmetrical concentrator (MSC) and other modular concepts have received considerable attention. Each employs an array of modules for performing conversion of concentrated sunlight into microwaves or laser beams for transmission to earth. While prototypes of such modules have been designed and developed previously by several groups, none have been subjected to the challenging conditions inherent to the space environment and the possible solar concentration levels in which an array of modules might be required to operate. The research described herein details our team's efforts in the development of photovoltaic arrays, power electronics, microwave conversion electronics, and antennas for microwave-based “sandwich” module prototypes. The implementation status and testing results of the prototypes are reviewed.     

空间核动力技术概览与发展脉络初探

在概略介绍现有技术方案基础上,初步探讨空间核动力技术的发展脉络,并分析其未来发展方向.基于固体核反应堆的空间核电源、核电推进及核热推进,是经过试验验证可行、具有一定技术基础并可预期实现空间应用的空间核动力技术.更先进的概念方案包括:基于气体核反应堆的核电源/核热推进、脉冲核爆推进、核裂变碎片推进等,它们的性能逐代跨越直至逼近理论极限.要充分利用核能的潜力,一方面需要提高单位质量核燃料的核能释放率,另一方面也需要减少核反应产物动能转换为无轨热运动的比率.核能潜力的充分利用需要以增加系统质量为代价.为满足未来宽广的空间任务需求,多物理机制驱动的大深度变工况一体化核能空间动力系统是未来必然发展趋势.     

International coordination of space solar power related activities

Because the need for energy is global, and many energy networks are already interdependent, because no one country has sufficient technological capability or sufficient funds to provide a space solar powered solution on its own, and because any such solution will require international regulation, international coordination will be vital to any attempt to produce energy for Earth from space. This will be made easier by the fact that work on the subject has already been widely publicized and distributed and cooperative efforts have already been made. Various coordinating approaches are described and the need to forge partnerships between government, industry and academia — with greater involvement of all non-space groups concerned with energy — is emphasized. A “terracing approach” to the actual implementation of SPS is suggested and outlined.     

核推进的空间应用浅析

首先通过比较太阳系各天体探测所需速度增量与各种推力器能达到的喷射速度,阐明核推进对于太阳系探测的重要性;随后,在简要介绍几个典型的基于核推进的空间任务设计方案后,通过参数化宇航动力学分析,阐明在当前或近期可达到的技术水平下,基于各种核推力器的航天器所能实现的任务能力,并比较分析各自的优劣,指明改进方向.分析表明,化学推进的适用范围极其有限,要真正实现太阳系内广阔区域的大规模探索开发,必须依靠核推进;基于固堆核热推进的当前技术指标已经能够满足相当一部分雄心勃勃的航天任务需要,在不远的将来实现广泛应用是可以预期的;核电推进尽管在技术上已经可以实现,但要能够在近期的航天愿景任务中获得超越固堆核热推进的优势,尚须在技术上实现进一步突破,尤其需要大幅降低核电源质量.     

Societal imperatives and the need for space nuclear power and propulsion systems

The development and exploitation of nuclear power and propulsion represent certain didactic imperatives for human civilization. Among these are economic, epistemological, moral and commercial propositions. Developing space nuclear power and propulsion represents one future; the choice of not to pursue the course barring some breakthrough in physics represents a dramatically different future. The author argues that the time is now fortuitous for deployment and operation of nuclear propulsion and power, primarily nuclear electric propulsion, at significant levels, employing figures of merit that transcend simple cost models used to justify nuclear power sources in the past. The proposition is examined, in the light of US and UN restrictions, to ascertain how best to proceed. The author argues that viewpoints of certain vocal albeit uninformed public interest groups are typically self-serving and generally categorically incorrect; it can be asserted that these same groups do not truly represent the public interest at all. It is, therefore, necessary to present an even-handed assessment of both sides of the argument to determine the virtues and liabilities of embarking on such a developmental path. Given the imperatives mentioned, the author argues that nuclear power and propulsion for space systems is a societal necessity.     

空间太阳能电站的关键技术及发展建议

1968年美国的P. Glaser博士最早提出空间太阳能电站（SSPS）概念构想。作为一个巨大的空间系统,空间太阳能电站的技术难度非常大,其真正实现预计还需要几十年的时间。文章通过对国外典型空间太阳能电站概念及其关键技术进行比较分析,在此基础上初步提出空间太阳能电站关键技术体系和发展建议。     

Net electric power of concentrating solar mirror systems for application in space as a function of the distance to the sun

The use of solar radiation by means of concentrating solar mirror systems, such as parabolic and spheric configurations, mainly is an engineering problem. A decisive characteristic for the optimisation of a complete system with turboelectric power conversion is the thermal cycle applied. Besides the Carnot process, here taken up into the study as an ideal comparative process, suitable processes for the technological realisation are the Brayton process and the Rankine process. The Brayton process is a typical gas turbine process using only the gaseous phase. The Rankine process is a steam engine process using liquid and gaseous phase.The work in hand shows how such solar systems with turboelectric conversion are optimised with respect to their specific weight (kg/kW_e) and how the distance to the sun as well as technological data enter into the analysis.As expected, the Carnot cycle as an ideal comparative process for both types of systems shows the best results for the optimum specific mass of the system. Regarding the real processes, the Rankine cycle shows more favourable characteristics than the Brayton cycle. The difference of the specific masses of the real processes mainly results from the different thermal conditions at the radiator.The influence of the distance to the sun is as expected. The nearer to the sun the solar power system operates, the better is the optimum specific mass of the system. For distances to the sun between 0.3 and 1.0 AU the spheric system shows a better behaviour than the parabolic system. For distances to the sun greater than 2.0 AU the parabolic system shows better behaviour of the specific weight. In the region between 1 and 2 AU the better optimum specific mass of the system belongs to the technological data used in the analysis.     

Current legal issues pertaining to space solar power systems

This paper discusses a range of legal issues that need to be considered in planning for a space solar power system. Because objects placed in space are inherently international, the paper primarily looks at international law that affects launching, construction, operation, property rights, the environment, communication and liability. International coordination early in the planning process is urged to make space solar powers systems a reality more speedily.     

Early commercial demonstration of space solar power using ultra-lightweight arrays

Space solar power shows great promise for future energy sources worldwide. Most central power stations operate with power capacity of 1000 MW or greater. Due to launch size limitations and specific power of current, rigid solar arrays, the largest solar arrays that have flown in space are around 50 kW. Thin-film arrays offer the promise of much higher specific power and deployment of array sizes up to several MW with current launch vehicles. An approach to early commercial applications for space solar power to distribute power to charge hand-held, mobile battery systems by wireless power transmission (WPT) from thin-film solar arrays in quasi-stationary orbits will be presented. Four key elements to this prototype will be discussed: (1) Space and near-space testing of prototype wireless power transmission by laser and microwave components including WPT space to space and WPT space to near-space HAA transmission demonstrations; (2) distributed power source for recharging hand-held batteries by wireless power transmission from MW space solar power systems; (3) use of quasi-geostationary satellites to generate electricity and distribute it to targeted areas; and (4) architecture and technology for ultra-lightweight thin-film solar arrays with specific energy exceeding 1 kW/kg. This approach would yield flight demonstration of space solar power and wireless power transmission of 1.2 MW. This prototype system will be described, and a roadmap will be presented that will lead to still higher power levels.     

An economic assessment of space solar power as a source of electricity for space-based activities

Those in the space community interested in deploying space solar power (SSP) need to know whether it would make economic sense. This article aims to develop a conceptual model of the economic value of SSP as a source of power to in-space activities, such as spacecraft and space stations. We offer several estimates of the value based on interviews and published data, discuss technological innovations that may compete with or be complementary to SSP, and consider alternative institutional arrangements for government and the private sector to provide SSP.     

面向空间太阳能电站应用的超大规模天线阵列模块尺寸与姿态偏差效应分析

空间太阳能电站微波能量传输需要具备超大规模的相控阵列波束形成和超高精度的波束指向控制能力。采用大尺寸的基本相控电单元能够缩减天线阵列规模和微波发射通道数目,从而显著降低微波能量发射系统的构造和组装成本。然而,相控单元的尺寸越大,对天线模块的结构刚性和姿态控制精度要求越高。基于天线阵列的结构化构型设计,提出超大规模回复反射阵列的结构模块和相控电单元的尺寸分析模型,推导得到结构模块姿态偏差、电单元尺寸要求和能量传输效率的近似关系及其解析表达式,可供作为空间太阳能电站微波传能天线阵列及其波束控制方案设计的参考依据。     

太空电站充电时基于真实手臂模型的SAR分析

空间太阳能电站所提供的将是高功率的电磁能量,在执行无线供电的过程中,将会在被供电设备上再次激励起不同频率的电磁波,对人体健康产生一定的威胁。对于低频的电磁波可以将人体整体等效为一个简易模型,分析电磁波对人体健康的影响。但是,当频率逐渐升高,其波长将和人体的局部组织尺寸可比拟,此时必须采用真实的人体模型才能更精确地分析电磁波对人体的影响。为此,文章研究58GHz频率下,基于真实手臂模型的比吸收率。利用平面波照射真实手臂模型,分析手臂表面以及透射到各个关键局部区域体积内的SAR值,可为高频率情况下电磁波对人体健康的影响提供一定的参考。     

空间核爆对地面与航天活动的影响

空间核爆具有与地面及大气核爆完全不同的物理过程、景观现象与引发效应。空间核爆导致的核电磁脉冲、瞬时能量沉积、附加电离层、人造辐射带可以造成弹道导弹和卫星的毁伤、电子设施瘫痪、电力和网络系统被切断、无线电通信受到干扰等;其软杀伤能力显著,对日常生活和正常活动会产生一系列影响。文章综述了空间核爆的物理效应及其对地面与航天活动的影响,以为后续研究提供参考。     

Cost effectiveness requirements for space power stations

The concept of converting solar energy in orbital space stations and transmitting electrical power to Earth at radio frequency, is receiving increasing attention both in paper studies and experimental and development work. The projects conceived are large in scale and implications and will demand major resources in their development and deployment. In addition to the technological requirements, the problem of reaching international decisions at political levels to fund and operate such systems will be immense. It will therefore be essential to establish as accurately as possible the basic parameters which will lead to a viable project, particularly with regard to economics.

This paper, therefore, examines the requirements which together will determine the appropriate levels of cost effectiveness of space power stations and should assist in establishing critical or sensitive areas which will influence the operational validity of the concepts. The r.f. transmission of electric power to and from, or between, spacecraft may itself have wider implications and is another aspect considered in the paper.

In summary, the paper does not seek to introduce new design concepts, but appraises the situation and exposes indicators concerning cost effectiveness.     

Organizing and managing satellite solar power

Building an organization and management structure to create, launch, utilize and protect a satellite solar power energy system will require a global policy for the beneficial use of SSP. The fundamental organizational tasks are: (1) R&D, achieved through a project organization characterized by the integrated management of applied science, development research and construction engineering; (2) investment, generated by a series of groups creating financial vehicles for public and private investment; (3) transmission and distribution, characterized by attention to an engineering and maintenance process emphasizing high reliability; and (4) crisis response, demanding readiness for instant response to potential internal or external scenarios. A differentiated global organization spanning the long timeframe of SSP will need to have a central management core representative of all parts of the organization, with the capacity for self-renewal and re-adaptation. To be successful over its long timeframe, the SSP organization will need to build continuity and public confidence through intergenerational communication, public education, and community outreach. Integrating structures must be created at all levels of the organization, and should encompass joint work tasks and information-sharing among both industrial and government members. Developmental and alliance partners who support the formation and financing of a differentiated satellite solar power organization will share commensurately in the technologies and competencies that are created.     

Ultralight deployable booms for solar sails and other large gossamer structures in space

Future solar sail spacecraft which do not need any rocket motors and propellants are a promising option for long-term exploration missions in the solar system. However, they will require ultralight reflective foils and deployable booms which will allow for the unfolding of huge sails. The achievement of an acceptable ratio of reflective sail area and structural mass, which results in a still small, but significant acceleration under the photon pressure of sunlight, is extremely challenging. The same challenging deployment technique is required for the unfolding of large reflector membranes or antennas (gossamer structures). The key elements are the booms which must be stowable in a very small envelope before they reach their destination in space. Such booms were developed by DLR and have been successfully tested under zero-g-conditions during a parabolic flight campaign in February 2009. It could be convincingly demonstrated that the unfolding process is both controllable and reproducible. The booms consisted of two co-bonded omega-shaped carbonfiber half shells with 0.1 mm wall thickness each and had a weight of only 62 g per meter. Two different deployment technologies were tested, one based upon an inflatable 12 μm thick polymer hose inside the boom, the other one using an electromechanical uncoiling device at the tip of each boom. In the latter case, the uncoiling devices will radially fly away from the spacecraft, such that they become “expendable deployment mechanisms” and their mass does not count any more for the spacecraft mass that needs to be accelerated or actively controlled.     

The LEO Archipelago: A system of earth-rings for communications,mass-transport to space,solar power,and control of global warming

Man's quest to get into space is hindered by major problems (e.g., system-development and capital costs, expense of putting mass into orbit, trapped-radiation belts, and environmental impact of a large increase in rocket launches). A multi-purpose low-earth-orbit system of rings circling the earth – the “LEO ARCHIPELAGO^TM” – is proposed as a means of solving or bypassing many of them. A fiber-optic ring about the earth would be an initial testing and developmental stage for the Ring Systems, while providing cash-flow through a LEO-based, high-band-width, world-wide communication system. A low-earth-orbit-based space-elevator system, “Sling-on-a-Ring^TM”, is proposed as the crucial developmental stage of the LEO Archipelago. Being a LEO-based heavy-mass lifter, rather than earth- or GEO-based, it is much less massive and therefore less costly than other proposed space-elevators. With the advent of lower-cost, higher-mass transport to orbit, the options for further space development (e.g., space solar power, radiation, and space-debris dampers, sun shades, and permanent LEO habitation) are greatly expanded.This paper provides an update of the Sling-on-a-Ring concept in terms of new materials, potential applications, and trade-offs associated with an earlier model. The impact of Colossal Carbon Tubes, CCT, a new material with high tensile strength, extremely-low density, and other favorable properties, and other new technologies (e.g., solar-powered lasers, power beaming to near-space and earth, and thermal-control systems) on the development of associated LEO-Ring systems is also explored. The material's effect on the timeline for the system development indicates the feasibility of near-term implementation of the system (possibly within the decade). The Sling-on-a-Ring can provide a less-expensive, environment-friendly mode of access to space. This would pave the way (via eventual operation at >1000 t per day by 2050) for large scale development of space-based technologies.