This assurance is best provided by thoughtful design of the Solar Power System. If the brightness of baseline vehicles exceeds accepted limits for eye safety, certain constraints on reflectivity of surfaces and the orientation of vehicles are the most likely procedures that would lower ground illumination. However, additional surface preparations that are spaceworthy may require more work and added cost. Similarly, shifts in vehicle orientation, however small, may reduce the utility of power collection systems and adversely affect overall efficiency. Thus, it will be important to explore a number of options. 2.2 SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION This study has evaluated the components of the various Satellite Power System vehicles as presently defined1’2 to determine the reflectances which will significantly contribute to the ground illumination. The various system configurations considered include the Staging Base (SB) in LEO, the Orbital Transfer Vehicles operating between LEO and GEO, and the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) in GEO. The formulations and analysis procedures are presented in a manner which allows one at a later time to transform the results to any desired geometrical relationship between the earth, sun, orbit, and vehicle in order to assess the reflected light effects on the human eye, biota, and optical astronomy under a variety of conditions. In addition to ground illumination effects, the means are also provided for one to estimate the sky illumination at any combination of sun location, observer location, and apparent point in the sky. Based on the Satellite Power System Reference System1, the three major structures (SB, OTV, and SPS) have been examined in detail to ascertain the reflection characteristics of primary surface areas. When vehicle design 2 configurations were more fully specified in the Boeing Baseline Design , this information was incorporated into the study as appropriate. Where the specific materials have uncertain optical qualities or materials were not specified, reasonable assumptions have been made and annotated about the reflectivity. The size of these representative areas and their orientation have been taken from the Reference System information1, from the Boeing Base- line Design , or otherwise estimated from good engineering judgment.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==