There is a great deal of information about Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) already available. The purpose of Citizens for Space Based Solar Power is to provide a consolidated path to existing information, and to generate public support for the development of this potentially game-changing technology.

Be positive. Be proactive. Learn about SBSP and help get the word out. Write your representatives in Washington. Call your favorite talk show hosts. Ask for support for SBSP. Start looking out for future generations.

You’ll find many resources on this website to assist you in learning about SBSP and in getting the word out. We invite you to get involved. You’ll be glad you did.

Solar Power Satellite Concept ©Mafic Studios, Inc.

Background

The idea of space-based solar power (SBSP), the harvesting of virtually unlimited solar energy with orbiting collectors and beaming it to earth for distribution and use in the form of electricity, has been around since 1968. Due to low fossil fuel costs and high per-payload-pound launch costs at the time, the idea was not financially feasible. The world has changed significantly since then.

In 2007, with the collective efforts of over 170 contributors, the USG National Security Space Office (NSSO) issued a 75-page Phase 0 Architecture Feasibility Study entitled “Space-Based Solar Power as an Opportunity for Strategic Security”. This study states that “technological challenges are closing rapidly and the business case for creating SBSP is improving with each passing year.”

In March of 2016 at the D3 (Diplomacy, Defense, Development) Summit, a multi-agency industry team of SBSP advocates presented the D3 Space Solar Proposal (D3SSP) entitled “Carbon-Free Energy for Global Resilience and International Goodwill.” The D3SSP Team proposed that “We [U.S.] want to be the power leading our allies in supplying clean power to the developing world … ” and “The US can advance its narrative power in the near-term, and actual economic development and security power in the long-run, by leading the development of SBSP.“

Today, there are many drivers for the development of renewable (or practically unlimited) energy sources, with national defense, rampant over-population of the planet, quality of life for future generations, and concern for the environment all near the top of the list. Yet we seem content to burn the fuels we can gather from our surroundings, much like our ancestral cave-dwellers did for tens of thousands of years before “modern” man’s arrival.

There are links to much more information about Space-Based Solar Power on the Links page. Once you have read about this exciting and potentially game-changing technology, go to the Get Involved page for suggestions on who to contact and links to assist. If you don’t want to start with a blank e-mail, use some of the text from the Starter Messages at the bottom of the page to get started.

However you decide to do it, spread the word about Space-Based Solar Power. Your voice can make a difference for the future of our families … and for our planet.

Goals

The following goals, milestones and metrics are put forth by Citizens for Space-Based Solar Power (C-SBSP) as stretch goals to motivate citizens, government and industry leaders into meaningful action. They are closely related to some of the goals outlined in the 2007 National Space Security Office study, Space-Based Solar Power as an Opportunity for Strategic Security, and to the milestones outlined in the award-winning D3 Space Solar Proposal presented in 2016.

The C-SBSP goals and metrics are put forth as a roadmap to guide the content and direction of this site, and as a way to measure its relative success.

Space-Based Solar Power Goals

A high priority, comprehensive U.S. Government Energy Independence Policy that aggressively supports the joint government / industry / ally development of Space-Based Solar Power as one major avenue to providing affordable, clean, safe, reliable, renewable, sustainable and expandable energy to U.S. consumers and as an exportable commodity as soon as humanly possible.
An on-orbit Space-Based Solar Power prototype demonstrating that the U.S. and key allies have retired all technological risks by 2020.
An operational Space-Based Solar Power system capable of delivering 24-hour renewable energy to the developing world with no CO2 emissions, by 2025.
An operational Space-Based Solar Power system capable of affordably and safely delivering at least 50% of the U.S. baseload power requirements, with excess capacity for exportation, by 2050.
A greatly expanded Space-Based Solar Power system capable of affordably and safely delivering the majority of the world’s baseload power requirements, along with the declaration that fossil fuel in any form is no longer required for the production of power, by 2100.

C-SBSP Goals

Introduce the idea and potential of Space-Based Solar Power to a very large audience, in plain language.
Provide resources to those who desire to learn more about SBSP.
Motivate and provide resources to those who desire to become involved with the promotion of SBSP.
Provide another forum for the public discussion of SBSP and related topics.
Elevate SBSP to the level of national discussion and influence government and industry leaders in the development and deployment of this potentially game-changing technology.

C-SBSP Metrics

Visitors to the C-SBSP site.
Participation on the C-SBSP site.
Print media articles on SBSP published as a result of C-SBSP activities.
Broadcast media pieces on SBSP aired as a result of C-SBSP activities.
Industry leaders and organizations contacted as a result of C-SBSP activities.
Responses from industry leaders and organizations contacted as a result of C-SBSP activities.
Government leaders and organizations contacted as a result of C-SBSP activities.
Responses from government leaders and organizations contacted as a result of C-SBSP activities.