Spacecraft This segment includes all elements that integrate the satellite formation placed in GEO. All the hardware and software use for these satellites to get solar energy and to transmit it to the Earth are mainly the components of this segment. Also is included the required ground support for these satellites. According to NASA/DOE study the main split costs are shown in Table 11.8. _______________Table 11.8 Spacecraft Segment Cost____________ Looking at Table 11.8 it can be noticed that the main cost driver subsystems are energy conversion (from solar power to microwave beams) and power transmission (from space to the Earth). Considering die 120 satellites and a lifetime of 30 years the recurring costs of energy conversion are $556B which is the 42% of the cost of the spacecraft system. The power transmission costs are $660B which is 50% of all cost of the segment. The results of the sensitivity analysis of these subsystems are shown in Figure 11.2.
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