Ad Astra Special Report: Space-Based Solar Power

Look at the attention you’re getting!

Our very good friends at the National Space Society recently published a special report of their acclaimed Ad Astra magazine covering Space-Based Solar Power! It goes into some technical details, but best of all it tells the story about how the Caballeros worked with the National Security Space Office to make the Space-Based Solar Power Study Group report become reality.  It was based on a lot of the work done right here, on this blog!

So for those of you who have been contributing to the discussions here, THIS IS A STORY ABOUT YOU and the good things you’ve been doing here. So, the next time your spouse or significant other complains that you are spending way too much time in the blogosphere…toss him or her a copy of this magazine and say, “I’ve been doing important work to solve the energy crisis!” You’ll be telling the truth!

Kudos to the National Space Society and their Ad Astra team–they are great people to work with and are doing a great job advancing humanities spacefaring prowess. You are a member, aren’t you?

Space Solar Power Presentation at LIFT08

Many have already seen this, but it is well worth posting here.

Guy Pignolet from the Sunsat Energy Council gave an interesting presentation about Space Solar Power on 7 February 2008 at a recent LIFT08 Conference.

To see the presentation, click here: Space Solar Power by Guy Pignolet (Moderator- Bruno Guissani)

Enjoy!

Coyote

Space Solar Power Demo: WWWWW & H?

It’s time to get busy again!

Our very good friend, Hu Davis, recently circulated some good questions regarding the who, what, when, where, why, and hows of demonstrating space solar power. He poses the questions from the perspectives of two groups; space solar power enthusiasts, and some NASA people who work the International Space Station (ISS). (Please note that like the rest of us, our friends at NASA-ISS are just brainstorming with us to see what help the ISS might be able to lend to advance space solar power concepts–there is no official NASA position or policy on any of this yet.)

Space Solar Power: A Rose By Any Other Name…

Our good friend, Howard Bloom, raised an important point about the need to standardize our terminology. He’s right. From here on out, we will simply refer to space solar power (SSP) and NOT space-based solar power (SBSP). They mean the same thing, but SSP is by far the more common term. So, SSP it is!

Google Lunar X-Prize and Space-Based Solar Power

All,

One of our regular contributors, Dan Lantz, provided us with a link to an incredibly well done Internet video that explains the Google Lunar X-Prizes for Lunar Exploration in a production called “Moon 2.0.” Space-Based Solar Power makes a cameo appearance!

Personally, I think it steals the scene, like Sean Connery arriving triumphantly in the last scene of Keven Costner’s movie “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.” Oops, did I spoil it? Sorry.

Space-Based Solar Power Interim Assessment (Release 0.1) is Published!

Hello Everyone!

Click here for the “Interim Assessment!”

Where’s the Final Report?

Space-Based Solar Power Advocates and Critics,

September 15th is here…so where’s the final report from the National Security Space Office that was promised???

There won’t be any. Well, not a final report, and not by close of business today.

The Impact of International Partners on the Business Case and Space Law

Yesterday I met with a world-famous, economics-minded, globetrotting, space cynic. Naturally, this was at one of the D.C. area’s Irish pubs, which various Internet sources claim is my typical work location. Um…yea. The discussion was too good to keep to myself, so here are some takeaway points for your consideration and comment:

Russia Working on SSP: Claim ~50% Efficient Solar Cells

“Tapping Into Space For Energy”
By Yuri Zaitsev, Novosti, August 03 2007

The Russian News and Information Agency released a story by Yuri Zaitsev (click the link above to read). Therein he nicely summarizes the need for space solar power and the evolution of photovoltaic cells that collect and convert solar power into electricity. What is most interesting is that he asserts that by using pure quartzites (citing, “The largest deposits of very pure quartzites are found in Russia, which had vast reserves of them”) that:

Recently the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, near Moscow, developed a photo cell with an efficiency of almost 50%. Scientists describe their product as a “star battery.” It is an example of how nanotechnology can improve the workings of well-known processes.

Keep in mind that every improvement in efficiency along the collection-delivery pathway improves the business case.

This begs two questions:
1. What are the technical implications of ~50% efficient cells?
2. Does this signal cooperation or competition with the Russians?

“The Space Show” Does Space-Based Solar Power!

On Wednedsay, 1 Aug 2007, I was a guest on “The Space Show” with host Dr David Livingston.  David was a superb host and the call-in questions were quite good.  Part of the summary that David posted included the following:

“Col. Smith told us why the military is interested in SSP and this is something you need to hear Col. Smith explain. But as you will see, this is a national imperative. Listeners asked many questions about economics, time tables, antennas, frequencies, and more. Questions were asked about space tourism as a possible facilitator as well as ITAR issues.”

You can hear the show by clicking here:  http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/747-BWB-2007-08-01.mp3

 Feel free to comment or ask questions!

Trade Spaces

Taking the long view, we don’t need to rush to answer every question immediately.  

 

There are some wide open trade spaces that need to be examined and experimented with much more closely.  Here are some examples:

 

Energy collection:  What method is best; photovoltaic or solar dynamic collection?  Within each method, there are various designs, for example, using the photovoltaic method, which technique of collection is best; large flat arrays or sun towers with concentrator mirrors?

 

Power beaming:  What method should be used to broadcast to the ground; microwave or laser?  Each has pros and cons.  Microwave is certainly safer, but lasers require a relatively small receiver by comparison.  Microwave might be best for permanently supplying a city with power, but laser might be better for broadcasting to a location that needs a rapid set-up time…such as part of a disaster relief effort.

 

What are the other major trade spaces???  

An Invitation:

Our very good friends at the Marshall Institute are graciously hosting a “Washington Roundtable” discussion here in Washington D.C. on 8 August to discuss space-based solar power.  It is open to the public.  Jeff Kueter, the president of the institute, asked me to post this inviation to all of you.  If you can make it, please attend … and do follow the RSVP instructuctions to be courteous to our hosts!

The details follow:

WASHINGTON ROUNDTABLE ON SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY

Energy from Space:

Examining the Potential of Space
to Provide Energy for Earth

Meet Coyote in D.C. 18 July 2007

Fellow Space Solar Power Advocates and Skeptics,

I know many of you are planning to attend the Space Frontier Foundation’s NewSpace 2007 Conference in Washington D.C. If you are, this is a great opportunity for us to meet!

On Wednesday, 18 July, I will be in the Doubletree Hotel lounge from around 5:30 to 6:30pm.

Please stop by and say hello and be ready to talk about space-based solar power!  (We’ll turn it into a 5,000 hits party!)

Cheers!

Coyote

India, Space Solar Power, Reusable Launch Vehicles, and a Partnership Opportunity?

In a recent posting on The Statesmen website, author Stanley Theodore briefly describes India’s intent to pursue space-based solar power in an article titled ”Solar Energy In Space to Power India.”

The article implies that India has identified the need for cheap, reliable, frequently reusable spacelift as the principle technical challenge that must be overcome.  The article states:

“Mr Saraswath [India's Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) chief controller for research and development] said Reusable Launch Vehicles are needed to make [space-based solar power] cost effective.”

Solving the spacelift problem has been identified almost universally in all studies as the principle impediment to all activities in space—this also seems to be the case regarding space-based solar power—now with some independent confirmation from India.

But what is really interesting in Stanley Theodore’s article is the same expression of concern to pursue space-based solar power to  “meet ever growing energy requriements” while recognizing that ”the era of conventional fuels is ending.” 

Sunshine From a Space Cynic

You Are My Sunshine
By Shubber Ali, Space Cynics, Saturday June 09, 2007

Shubber Ali points out that a prerequisite for space-based solar power is “cheap, reliable, reusable access to space.” This jives with expert opinions rendered by some core members of my team. (Do the beautiful people still say “jives?”)

But believe it or not, I am actually partly heartened by this latest push to SSPS. Why? … I am firmly of the belief that only the DoD has the budget, the operational experience, and the political clout to develop truly cheap, reliable, reusable access to space.

I include Ali’s note to Gen Armor because he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for advancing the art of spacefaring through innovative approaches like taking our work on-line for all to participate in!

Note to Major General James Armor (Director of the National Security Space Office) - kudos for having the foresight to look at this problem…

Coyote

Wired Coyote

Military Target: Solar-Beaming Sats
By Noah Shachtman, Wired, June 07, 2007

Last month, a man at a bar introduced himself as “Coyote,” and told me he was working on the Pentagon’s plans to build a string of satellites that beamed solar rays down to Earth.

Press clips

Space solar power: opposition and obstacles
Taylor Dinerman, The Space Review, Monday, June 4, 2007

Potentially unlimited solar power from space would seem to be something everyone could support, but that is not necessarily the case.

Pentagon Considering Study on Space-Based Solar Power
– Space News 11 April 2007

The Pentagon’s National Security Space Office (NSSO) may begin a study in the near future on the possibility of using satellites to collect solar energy for use on Earth, according to Defense Department officials.