0191-9067/83 $3.00 + .00 Copyright 1983 SUN SAT Energy Council A SYSTEM STUDY OF THE SOLAR POWER SATELLITE CONCEPT ROBERT O. PILAND National Aeronautics and Space Administration L.yndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058, USA Abstract — The paper summarizes a system study of the solar power satellite (SPS) concept which was conducted in the 1977-1980 time period. The system study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as part of an SPS Concept Development and Evaluation Program. A reference system, developed during the study is described. The reference system was subsequently used as a basis for environmental, economic, and societal assessments. The reference system was recognized as probably not being an optimized approach. A number of alternate approaches which were studied in less depth are also described. The paper concludes with a number of observations regarding the SPS concept, and the pertinence of ongoing space technology, development, and flight programs to various aspects of the concept. I. INTRODUCTION The system study of the solar power satellite (SPS) concept which is summarized here took place in the 1977-1980 time period. It was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as part of an SPS Concept Development and Evaluation Program. The program involved many groups from government, industry, and academia. The objective of the SPS Concept Development and Evaluation Program was “to develop by the end of 1980 an initial understanding of the technical feasibility, the economic practicality, and the social and environmental acceptability of the Solar Power Satellite Concept.” The system study was primarily directed toward the issue of technical feasibility. Other program studies involved environmental, economic, and societal considerations. An initial activity of the study was to establish a reference satellite power system for use in conducting the environmental, economic, and societal assessments, and to provide a basis for comparison with alternate system concepts. It was recognized by all that the reference system would not be an optimum approach. Nevertheless a degree of system definition was required on which to base the various program assessments. Consequently a reference system was developed which may be described as a “plausible” system that could be defined at the time, given our limited knowledge in many areas. As the system study continued and the reference system was developed, additional attention was directed to alternate system approaches. The following will describe the reference system, certain alternate system approaches; and present observations on the study results, and the significance of ongoing and future programs to the SPS concept.
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