The relatively low 50 MW user power requirement allows a power generation platform that is greatly reduced in size versus previous gigawatt-class concepts. GEO basing enables a single space platform to serve one or more ground stations -obviating the need for multiple satellite constellations. Millimeter wave transmission reduces the required aperture areas of both space transmitter and ground rectenna by two orders of magnitude - although at the expense of poor atmospheric transmission through rain and elevated humidity. The presumption of millimeter wave transmission would likely limit ground station location, and presumably customer service market, to high and/or arid regions in order to insure near-continuous service. This geographic limitation is perhaps acceptable to early generation SSP systems. Additional features of the concept which serve to enhance the cause of more manageable first deployment are: • modular configuration • no dedicated in-space transportation or infrastructure requirement • shuttle/RLV class launch vehicle (20 MT to low inclination LEO) • self-deploying modules in LEO • self-transporting modules to GEO • autonomous rendezvous and dock Further design and architectural details of this concept are presented below, and a diagram of its rather straight-forward architectural context is provided in Figure 3-12. GEO Millimeter Wave: Development & Manufacturing Development and manufacturing of the concept is aided by its relatively small scale, modular configuration, and by the selection of thin-film photovoltaic power generation. Thin film photovoltaics offer great potential for mass production and two orders of magnitude reduction in manufacturing costs. Ground Launch Infrastructure Ground launch infrastructure is necessary to handle launch, recovery, and processing of projected “highly reusable” low cost successors to the current Shuttle and ELV fleet. Launch rates of two per week are sufficient to lift one space segment in three months. Additional infrastructure is also required for ground processing of payloads. Earth-to-Orbit Transportation Power Modules, along with elements of the Power Transmission Platform, are sized for launch by a 20 MT class launch vehicle, such as the existing Shuttle or Titan FV/NUS vehicles, or projected future vehicles, or projected future vehicles such as RLV or HRST. Payloads will be injected into a low inclination, circular LEO of 300-400 km altitude. Approximately 24 total launches will be required per space segment Presumed payload volume is based on a 4.6 m diameter by 10 m long cylinder.
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