NASA 2024 Space-Based Solar Power

Executive Summary	2
Purpose of the Study	2
Key Findings	3
Question 1: Under what conditions would SBSP become competitive?	3
System Designs	3
Lifecycle Calculations	4
Baseline Assessment	7
Sensitivity Analyses	9
Question 2: What role, if any, should NASA have?	13
Conclusion	14
Table of Contents	15
1.0 Introduction	18
1.1 Background	18
1.2 Study Questions	22
2.0 Methodology Overview	22
2.1 Cost Estimations	23
2.1.1 Functional Decomposition of SBSP Systems	23
2.1.2 Concept of Operations	23
2.1.3 Levelized Cost of Electricity	27
2.2 GHG Emissions Intensity	29
3.0 Results	30
3.1 Summary of SBSP System Costs and GHG Emissions	34
4.0 Sensitivity Analyses	35
4.1 Launch	35
4.1.1 Direct Launch to GEO	35
4.1.2 Reduced Launch Costs	35
4.1.3 Electric Propulsion Orbital Transfer	36
4.1.4 Spacecraft Hardware Life	37
4.2.1 Initial Hardware Costs	37
4.2.2 Learning Curve	38
4.2.3 Solar Cell Efficiency	38
4.3 Combining Sensitivities	38
4.4 Making SBSP Systems Competitive with Terrestrial Renewables	39
5.0 Challenges and Opportunities	41
5.1 Challenges to Operational System Development	41
5.1.1 Large-scale ISAM Capability Challenges	41
5.1.2 Large-scale Autonomous Distributed Systems	42
5.1.3 Power Beaming	42
5.2 Challenges to Reducing System Costs	42
5.2.1 Launch costs	42
5.2.3 Manufacturing at scale	43
5.2.4 Launch cadence	43
5.3 Regulatory and Other Challenges	44
5.3.1 Active Debris Removal	44
5.3.2 Spectrum Allocation	44
5.3.3 Orbital Slot Allocation	44
5.3.4 Security	44
5.4 Ongoing Improvements to SBSP Technology Needs	45
5.4.1 ISAM	45
5.4.2 Autonomous Distributed Systems	45
5.4.3 Power Beaming	45
5.5 Ongoing Improvements to SBSP Economic Needs	46
5.5.1 Electric Propulsion Orbital Transfer	46
5.5.2 Alternative Launch	47
5.5.3 Mass Manufacturing	47
5.5.4 Advanced Materials	47
5.6 Architecture Opportunities	47
6.0 Options for NASA to Consider	47
6.1 Option 1: Undirected and Organic Development	48
6.2 Option 2: Pursue Partnership Options to Advance SBSP	48
7.0 Conclusion and Recommended Further Study	49
Appendix A: Representative Design Details	52
Appendix B: Methodology	54
Overview	55
Approach to Cost Calculations	57
Functional Decomposition of SBSP Systems	57
ConOps Phases	58
ConOps Phase 1: Develop	60
ConOps Phase 2: Assemble	63
ConOps Phase 3: Operate	67
ConOps Phase 4: Maintain	69
ConOps Phase 5: Dispose	70
Determining Capital Expenditures and Fixed Operations and Management	72
Levelized Cost of Electricity	72
Overview	72
Calculation	73
Results	76
Total SBSP Lifecycle Costs	76
SBSP Lifecycle Costs by ConOps Phase	76
Levelized Cost of Electricity	78
Approach to GHG Emissions Calculations	79
GHG Emissions	79
Climate Comparisons	89
Sensitivity Analyses	89
Sensitivity Analysis 1 - Reduced Launch Costs 1 a) $50M b) $10M	90
Sensitivity Analysis 2 - Launch Direct to GEO	90
Sensitivity Analysis 3 - Electric Propulsion for Orbital Transfer	90
Manufacturing	91
Sensitivity Analysis 1 - Initial Hardware Costs	91
Sensitivity Analysis 2 - Learning Curve Reduction	91
Sensitivity Analysis 3 - Increased Hardware Lifetime	91
Solar Cell Efficiency	92
Sensitivity Analysis 1 - Solar Cell Efficiency (15% Increase)	92
Multiple Variable Sensitivity Analyses	92
Sensitivity Analysis 1 – Competitive Solution	92
Sensitivity Analysis 2 - Present Day Costs Only	92
Appendix C: Acknowledgements	95
Appendix D: Acronyms & Key Terms	96
References	102

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