As originally conceived a solar power satellite (SPS) could utilize various approaches to solar energy conversion [12]. Among these conversion processes, photovoltaic conversion was selected because solar cells were already in wide use in communication, Earth observation and meteorological satellites, both in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). Since then, an added incentive has been the substantial progress being made in the development of advanced photovoltaic materials and microwave beaming, and the increasing confidence in the achievement of significant cost reductions in space transportation. The challenges to develop a global SPS system built from terrestrial and space resources are formidable. International efforts will be required over a period of decades to make the transition from current to 21st century energy production methods. The fact that the development and operation spans decades points more to some sort of multinational enterprise than government to government agreements. System Descriptions SPS 2000 is a Japanese program with the goal of having a 10 Megawatt-electric SPS in an 1,100 km orbit by the year 2000. Figure 8 is a diagram of the system that the Japanese are proposing. The concept is that at lower orbit the antenna and rectenna can be smaller. In addition if there are a number of them then they can multiplex power to various ground stations. Figure 8 SPS 2000 Straw man Design Concept The mission of the SPS 2000 straw man is not to be part of a national electrical power system but a local electrical power station. The system is designed to be part of an electrical supply network and not a one of the kind very expensive communications satellite. Fundamental design requirements include:
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==