Power beaming providing a space power infrastructure

Author

Bamberger, Judith Ann ; Coomes, Edmund P.

Author_Institution

Battelle Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA, USA

Volume

7

Issue

11

fYear

1992

Firstpage

7

Lastpage

11

Abstract

A study based on two levels of technology maturity, which applies to the power beaming concept to four planned satellite constellations, is described. The analysis shows that with currently available technology, power beaming can provide mass savings to constellations to orbits ranging from low-Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit. Two constellations, a space surveillance and tracking system and space-based radar, can be supported with current technology. The other two constellations, a space-based laser array and a boost surveillance and tracking system, will require power and transmission system improvements before their break-even specific mass is achieved. A doubling of SP-100 conversion efficiency from 10 to 20% would meet or exceed break-even for these constellations.<>

Keywords

artificial satellites; laser beam applications; microwave power transmission; radar systems; tracking systems; SP-100 conversion efficiency; boost surveillance; geosynchronous orbit; laser array; low-Earth orbit; microwave power transmission; power beaming; radar; satellite constellations; savings; space power infrastructure; space surveillance; tracking; Aerospace control; Laser radar; Optical arrays; Orbits; Power lasers; Radar tracking; Satellite constellations; Space technology; Spaceborne radar; Surveillance;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8985

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/62.166859

Filename

166859