BASELINE DESIGN Principles of a Satellite Solar Power Station Figure 1 shows the design concept for an SSPS. Two symmetrically arranged solar collectors convert solar energy directly to electricity by the photovoltaic process while the satellite is maintained in synchronous orbit around the Earth. The electricity is fed to microwave generators incorporated in a transmitting antenna located between the two solar collectors. The antenna directs the microwave beam to a receiving antenna on Earth where the microwave energy is efficiently and safely converted back to electricity. An SSPS can be designed to generate electrical power on Earth at any specific level. However, for a power output ranging from about 3,000 to 15,000 MW, the orbiting portion of the SSPS exhibits the best power-to-weight characteristics. Additional solar collectors and antennas could be added to establish an SSPS system at a desired orbital location. Power can be delivered to most desired geographic locations with the receiving antenna placed either on land or on platforms over water near major load centers, and tied into a power transmission grid. The status of technology and the advances which will be required to achieve effective operation for an SSPS are described below. Location of Orbit. — The preferred locations for the SSPS are the Earth's equatorial synchronous orbit stable nodes which occur near the minor axes, at a longitude of about 123° West FIGURE 1 DESIGN CONCEPT FOR A SATELLITE SOLAR POWER STATION
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