Status: established
Introduction
Space-based solar power (SBSP) is a concept that involves collecting solar energy in orbit around the Earth and beaming it back to the planet as microwave energy. This idea has been studied since 1968, with various attempts to develop viable systems.
Established Facts
- SBSP can provide a reliable source of renewable energy, unaffected by weather conditions on Earth.
- The concept was first proposed in 1968 by Peter Glaser, an engineer at the M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory.
- NASA conducted several studies on SBSP in the 1970s and 1980s, including the "Project Solar Power" which aimed to develop a SBSP system that could generate 5 GW of power.
Contested Topics
- The cost-effectiveness of SBSP systems is still a topic of debate. While some studies suggest that SBSP can be competitive with terrestrial solar power, others argue that the costs are too high.
- There are also concerns about the environmental impact of launching and deploying large satellites in space.
Speculative Ideas
- Some researchers have proposed using advanced materials or technologies to build more efficient solar panels or beam transceivers. However, these ideas are still largely speculative.
- Others have suggested that SBSP could be used as a way to power lunar or Mars missions, but this idea is even further from practical implementation.
Current Developments
- In recent years, several companies and organizations have started working on SBSP projects, including Japan's space agency JAXA and the US company Space Solar Power Systems.
- These efforts are focused on developing more efficient and cost-effective SBSP systems that can be deployed in the near future.
References
- Glaser, P. E. (1968). "Power from the Sun: Its Future." Science, 162(3456), 857-861.
- NASA. (1979). "Project Solar Power."
- JAXA. (2020). "Space Solar Power System."
This page aims to provide a balanced view of the current state of SBSP research and development. While some aspects are well-established, others are still being debated or explored.