Concept developed during recent solar power satellite systems definitions studies (5), or the corresponding Rockwell and Grumman designs. A good parameterization should reproduce figures of merit of point designs from different design teams within 10%. A simple computer program or a programmable calculator is useful in carrying out the calculations for varying designs. A simple equation for conventional (solar to DC to electromagnetic radiation) power satellite’s mass, M, is Costs are less predictable than masses, but are the “bottom line’’ in commercial systems. Note that the simple equation for total cost, C, below, incorporates the receiving array. Dividing either equation (1) or (2) through by the grid power, PG, gives useful figures of merit for comparison with other energy systems. The parameter cost per unit installed grid power, (CIPG), is typically a target for minimization. The parameters in the form of a subsystem cost or mass per unit power or area are fixed by the technology and design of the power satellite’s system components (such as the solar array or transmitting antenna) and are essentially given for the system designer. The same goes for the efficiencies. However, the areas and powers are variables to be solved for to get a defined system. A key additional equation here is the RF link equation, which scales the sizes of the receiving and transmitting areas for a given microwave power beam pattern and efficiency. The link equation may be reduced to
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