Systems Definition Space Based Power Conversion Systems
Final Report - Detailed Technical Report
- Contract Number: NAS831628
- Report Code: DPDITEMMA04
- Report Code: D180203092
- Release year: 1977
- Pages: 100
Coordinating Organizations:
- Boeing Aerospace Company
- Garret Corporation
- Georgia Institute Of Technology
- Marshall Spaceflight Center - NASA
- Thermo Electron Corporation
Contributors:
Daniel Gregory, Peter Oettinger, Anthony Pietsch, Walter Whitacre, J Richard Williams
Abstract/Description:
This study was initiated on June 8, 1975 and continued until November 30, 1976. Its purpose was the investigation of potential space-located systems for the generation of electrical power for use on Earth. These systems were of three basic types:
1) Systems producing electrical power from solar energy;
2) Systems producing electrical power from nuclear reactors;
3) Systems for augmenting ground-based solar power plants by orbital sunlight reflectors.
Systems 1) and 2) would utilize a microwave beam system to transmit their output to Earth. Configurations implementing these concepts were developed through an optimization process intended to yield the lowest cost for each. A complete program was developed for each concept, identifying required production rates, quantities of launches, required facilities, etc. Each program was costed in order to provide the electric power cost appropriate to each concept.
1) Systems producing electrical power from solar energy;
2) Systems producing electrical power from nuclear reactors;
3) Systems for augmenting ground-based solar power plants by orbital sunlight reflectors.
Systems 1) and 2) would utilize a microwave beam system to transmit their output to Earth. Configurations implementing these concepts were developed through an optimization process intended to yield the lowest cost for each. A complete program was developed for each concept, identifying required production rates, quantities of launches, required facilities, etc. Each program was costed in order to provide the electric power cost appropriate to each concept.
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