A Gigawatt-level solar power satellite using Intensified Efficient Conversion Architecture

An Intensified Efficient Conversion Architecture (InCA) is proposed as a way of obtaining the high values of specific power needed to make Space Solar Power (SSP) viable. Unlike photovoltaic conversion, where converter mass scales linearly with power, gas turbine conversion offers strong advantages in specific power at the Gigawatt levels needed for SSP. Cycle efficiencies of 80 percent can be reached with intensifed sunlight, existing high-temperature materials and a helium gas cycle. By combining the passive radiator part of the thermal management system with the collector and antenna structures, specific power of 1.61 kWe/ kg is predicted for a converter satellite delivering 1 GWe of AC power at the ground. Prospects exist for up to 3.4 kWe/kg. This compares to the 0.15 kW/kg of the best present-day conceptions of photovoltaic power converters. This approach promises to make full-scale SSP economically viable much earlier than expected from prior work.