GEO with 20,000 km Tether Concept: GEO collector satellite transmits to ground stations via a tether acting as a surface waveguide. Shortened transmission distance reduces required diameter of transmitter. Key Features: Long conductive tether from GEO collector location to RF transmitter at LEO altitudes. Suggestor/Source: G. Landis, Ohio Aerospace Institute Discussion To minimize the apertures required for wireless power transmission a configuration is proposed which has the solar collectors in GEO and the RF transmission subsystem suspended at LEO altitudes from a conductive tether arrangement. The reduced transmitter diameter is an advantage that is independent of the frequency used, so this concept could be applied to any large GEO satellite. Advantages Disadvantages Could minimize RF path Tether mass dominates system Orbital debris issues Aesthetic issue of very long tethers visible from the ground
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