EUROSPACE Powersat Study
Final Report
- Contract Number: ESA939091F
- Release year: 1992
- Pages: 374
Coordinating Organizations:
- European Space Agency
- Eurospace
Contributors:
Abstract/Description:
This provides the findings of the 1992 Eurospace Powersat Study for ESA. Following an Executive Summary, the Report is split into two major parts, Economics and potential applications of Powersats within space-based infrastructure programs and a discussion of the requirements for a Demonstration Program.
The Powersats in question, at least for the start of ESA interest, are not Space To Earth megawattage systems, instead Space stations are raised as a suitable first niche opportunity because a Powersat could enable significant savings in the amount of propellant.
While the report follows the pattern of Europe at the time, where ESA would not lead technology development and instead look for supportive partnerships under others, there are signs of actual interest and support from industry and full-Scale SPS parties including Thomson Tubes, Oerlikon-Contraves, SAFT and Deutsche Aerospace, the Center for Space Power, the Space Studies Institute and ETM
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