Backers of solar satellites see more power to use
Backers of Solar Power Satellites (SPS) believe that a commitment for substantial funding now could provide a prototype source of safe, reliable, and cost-competitive electricity by the mid-1990s. An SPS would use an array of solar collectors to absorb energy from the sun and microwave beams to transmit the energy to antennas on earth, where it would be converted into electricity and fed into a power grid. Although research by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has demonstrated the technical feasibility, a three-year study is still underway to determine if satellites are economically and environmentally acceptable. A full-scale program is estimated to cost $90 billion for 60 satellites. Arthur D. Little Inc. Vice President Peter Glazer, who patented the concept in 1973, sees it as a superior energy source able to avoid the restrictions of land-based solar systems. Weighing about 100,000 tons, however, the satellites must be built in space, while receiving antennas would be distributed geographically in groups four or five square miles in area. The effect of a microwave beam on airplanes, birds, the ionosphere, and radio communications are concerns that have not been resolved. Funding is needed to develop better solar cell, satellites, and receiver technology, to improve the space shuttle program, and to construct the satellites and antennas. (DCK)
- OSTI ID:
- 5430563
- Journal Information:
- Energy User News; (United States), Vol. 2:42
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Satellite power system: utility impact study. Final report
Solar satellite power system concepts. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications and the Subcommittee on Energy Research, Development and Demonstration of the Committee on Science and Technology, U. S. House of Representatives, Ninety-Fourth Congress, Second Session
Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
14 SOLAR ENERGY
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
CONSTRUCTION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FINANCING
MICROWAVE RADIATION
PLANNING
POWER GENERATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SPACE VEHICLES
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY CONVERSION
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER PLANTS
RADIATIONS
299001* - Energy Planning & Policy- Solar- (1989-)
140700 - Solar Thermal Power Systems
141000 - Solar Collectors & Concentrators