Citizens for Space Based Solar Power

Tag: space based solar power

  • STP180 – Can Space Based Solar Power Save the Planet

    STP180 – Can Space Based Solar Power Save the Planet

    This recent Space and Things podcast featuring John Mankins is an excellent all-around introduction to space based solar power (SBSP) and its game changing, clean energy potential.

    For those who may not be familiar, John C. Mankins is a former NASA physicist known for his ongoing work on space-based solar power. Along with explaining the fundamental of SBSP in easy-to-understand language, Mankins made a point I would like to highlight.

    • Unlike nuclear power plants, SBSP will be a switchable baseload power source. SBSP will be able to take the place of natural gas and other fossil fuel fired generation now being used to supplement terrestrial solar and wind power when nighttime or weather interrupt their outputs. The combination of space-based and terrestrial solar power will be a 100% clean, baseload power source.

    Mankins also had some astute observations about the most recent NASA report on SBSP, published on January 11, 2024 from the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy.

    • Energy for Earth is not one of NASA’s four current missions
    • The report has a very reasonable charter at the beginning.
    • The analyses contained in the report utilize excellent, rigorous methodologies.
    • The report has some extraordinarily reasonable findings and recommendations at the end.
    • But … the assumptions that went into that model were weird. The assumptions were unreasonably pessimistic, leading to astronomically high predictions of the cost per kWh from SBSP.
    • There is a one-line caveat included in the report that says if all of our assumptions turn out better than we have assumed, the cost of a kWh from SBSP will be about three cents.

    Needless to say, you should read the report for yourself (linked above) and come to your own conclusions about its assumptions, charter, analyses, findings, and recommendations. Keep in mind the fact that energy for Earth is not one of NASA’s four current missions.

  • Aurelia Institute: Humanity’s Future in Space

    Aurelia Institute: Humanity’s Future in Space

    Ariel Ekblaw, PhD, is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Aurelia Institute. Her MIT PhD and continuing research in autonomously self-assembling space structures is primarily directed at the construction of human-rated space habitats. This developing technology can also help to meet the ecological and energy challenges currently facing our planet.

    “We’re working to see if we can help start-up energy companies assemble thousands of solar panels in orbit, above the atmosphere.” – Dr. Ariel Ekblaw

    I was excited to learn that Dr. Ekblaw has long been a supporter of space-based solar power (SBSP), which she discusses at 6:47 of the TED Talk above. The technology of autonomously self-assembling space structures is a critical component of making SBSP an economically viable clean energy source for humankind.

  • Virtus Solis: The Power of the Sun

    Virtus Solis: The Power of the Sun

    Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Virtus Solis was founded by John Bucknell and Dr. Edward Tate. Together, the founders have deep experience in heavy launch and propulsion technologies, as well as the analysis and development of energy systems.

    The Virtus Solis website makes a bold claim about the space-based solar power (SBSP) technology they have developed:

    Virtus Solis is the world’s first space-based solar power energy generation system able to directly compete with conventional and renewable energy sources with none of the drawbacks.

    As outlined in the video above, some notable features of the Virtus Solis SBSP technology include:

    • Use of commercial, reusable heavy launch provider
    • Massive and highly scalable arrays of satellite solar collectors
    • Use of the highly elliptical Molniya orbit between low-earth and geosynchronous orbital altitudes (MEO)
    • 10 GHz microwave energy transmission frequency
    • A projected Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) competitive with all other current forms of energy generation

    Found in the National Space Society’s (NSS) Space Solar Power Library, the Survey of Space Based Solar Power, Virtus Solis, 2024, written by John Bucknell, includes detailed descriptions of several proposed SBSP architectures including the Virtus Solis’ Lucidus Hyper-Modular Architecture (2023). This SBSP survey reaches the following conclusion:

    As shown, most SBSP systems described herein could provide energy at a competitive price in today’s market and future markets. The Virtus Solis architecture excels, with an LCOE of $25/MWh.

  • Gemini Deep Research: Current State of Space-Based Solar Power

    Gemini Deep Research: Current State of Space-Based Solar Power

    I entered the following query into the Gemini Deep Research AI:

    What is the current state of space-based solar power development and what entities are currently conducting research on space-based solar power development? Compile a list of the top ten entities which are likely to accomplish the development and deployment of space-based solar power on a commercial scale?

    Gemini rewrote my query as:

    Provide an overview of the current progress in space-based solar power (SBSP) development, identify organizations currently researching SBSP, and list the top ten entities most likely to achieve commercial-scale SBSP deployment.

    Following is the report that Gemini Deep Research developed in about ten minutes after researching and analyzing data from hundreds of websites. I’ve included the Executive Summary and Conclusion and Future Outlook for SBSP in full, with headings for the remaining sections of the report.

    View or download a PDF of the full 20-page report.

    Space-Based Solar Power: Progress, Key Players, and the Path to Commercialization

    I. Executive Summary

    Space-based solar power (SBSP), the concept of harvesting solar energy in space and wirelessly transmitting it to Earth, is experiencing a significant resurgence of interest driven by advancements in space technology and the pressing need for clean, reliable energy. Recent milestones, such as Caltech’s successful wireless power transmission from space and Space Solar’s demonstration of 360° power beaming, highlight the tangible progress being made. A diverse range of organizations, spanning government agencies like NASA, ESA, JAXA, and AFRL, academic institutions such as Caltech and Kyoto University, and private companies ranging from established aerospace giants like Northrop Grumman and Airbus to innovative startups like Space Solar and Aetherflux, are actively engaged in research and development efforts. While significant challenges remain, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness and large-scale deployment, the potential of SBSP to provide continuous, baseload power is attracting increasing attention and investment. This report provides an overview of the current state of SBSP development, identifies the key organizations involved, and analyzes the top ten entities most likely to achieve commercial-scale deployment in this transformative field.

    II. Introduction: The Promise of Space-Based Solar Power

    III. Current Landscape of SBSP Development

    IV. Leading Organizations in SBSP Research and Development

    V. Key Private Sector Players in the SBSP Arena

    VI. Technological Advancements and Key Challenges in SBSP

    VII. Evaluating the Potential for Commercial-Scale Deployment

    VIII. Top Ten Entities Most Likely to Achieve Commercial-Scale SBSP Deployment

    IX. Conclusion and Future Outlook for SBSP

    Space-based solar power stands at an exciting juncture. The convergence of technological advancements, particularly in space launch and wireless power transmission, coupled with the ever-increasing global demand for clean energy, has propelled SBSP from a futuristic concept towards a tangible possibility. Recent demonstrations and the growing number of active players across government, academia, and the private sector underscore the significant momentum in this field.

    While considerable challenges remain, particularly in achieving cost-effectiveness and deploying large-scale systems in space, the long-term potential of SBSP to provide continuous, baseload power is undeniable. The projected growth of the SBSP market indicates increasing investment and a shift towards more development-focused initiatives. The next decade will likely see significant progress in technology maturation and further in-space demonstrations, paving the way for pilot projects and, eventually, commercial-scale deployments.

    The entities identified in this report, with their diverse strengths and approaches, are at the forefront of this endeavor. Their continued progress, coupled with sustained government support and further technological breakthroughs, will be crucial in realizing the promise of space-based solar power and its potential to revolutionize the global energy landscape. As the world continues to strive for a sustainable energy future, SBSP is poised to play an increasingly important role, offering a clean, reliable, and virtually limitless source of power from the ultimate energy provider – the Sun.

    View or download a PDF of the full 20-page report.

  • Will Fossil Fuels Be A “Bridge to Nowhere”?

    Will Fossil Fuels Be A “Bridge to Nowhere”? – photo by Kecko CC BY 2.0 on Flickr

    Every form of energy we have can eventually be traced back to the Sun. Space based solar power solves the on/off problem of terrestrial solar power, and could be delivered nearly anywhere on the planet 24/7/365. These characteristics make space based solar power a virtually unlimited, clean baseload power source.

    Currently, payload launch-to-orbit costs are the single biggest hurdle to developing and deploying space based solar power. While it would be a massive and complex engineering project, no basic science breakthroughs are needed before space based solar power could be implemented.

    Space based solar power is not a short-term solution to our energy needs. Domestic fossil fuel resources would provide a “bridge” to its eventual implementation … but fossil fuel will be a “bridge to nowhere”, unless we start developing space based solar power very soon.

    Rob Mahan
    Citizens for Space Based Solar Power*

    *I’m a purely self-appointed advocate, and I have no financial stake in space based solar power. I simply believe that it will eventually be the solution to our energy future.