Laser satellite power systems: concepts and issues

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Space Sol. Power Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5648588

Walbridge, E W

A laser satellite power system (SPS) converts solar power captured by earth-orbiting satellites into electrical power on the earth's surface, the satellite-to-ground transmission of power being effected by a laser beam. The laser SPS is an alternative to the microwave SPS. Lasers and how they work are described, as are the types of lasers - electric discharge, direct and indirect solar pumped, free electron, and closed-cycle chemical - that are candidates for application in a laser SPS. The advantages of a laser SPS over the microwave alternative are pointed out. One such advantage is that, for the same power delivered to the utility busbar, land requirements for a laser system are much smaller (by a factor of 21) than those for microwave system. The four laser SPS concepts that have been presented in the literature are described and commented on. Finally key issues for further laser SPS research are discussed.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL
• OSTI ID: 5648588
• Journal Information: Space Sol. Power Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Space Sol. Power Rev.; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN SSPRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
BRAYTON CYCLE
CHEMICAL LASERS
CLOUDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRICAL PUMPING
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
FREE ELECTRON LASERS
LAND REQUIREMENTS
LASER POWER TRANSMISSION
LASERS
OPTICAL PUMPING
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION
PUMPING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
REVIEWS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION