The potential of satellite solar power

The role of solar energy is being investigated to establish its potential contributions to meeting future energy demands on a significant national and world scale. This role is briefly reviewed to provide the background for considering the advantages of converting solar energy in space. The technology options for converting solar energy in space and transmitting power to earth are outlined. The design concepts of the SSPS based on thermal-electric and photovoltaic conversion are examined and salient characteristics are provided. Details of microwave power generation, beam transmission, and rectification and utility power pool interfaces are discussed. The requirements for a space transportation system, orbital assembly, maintenance and manufacturing in space are reviewed. The results of economic projections of SSPS operations are presented, utility economics outlined, and institutional impacts and legal status of the use of outer space considered. The environmental impacts of SSPS operations, such as stratospheric pollution by space vehicle exhaust products and of the microwave beam, including atmospheric attenuation and scattering, ionospheric propagation, and microwave biological effects are highlighted. A development program for the SSPS is outlined and critical technology areas which will have to be developed before the SSPS can be commercialized are mentioned.