Space Solar: A Transformational Opportunity for A Cool Earth

Space Solar: A Transformational

Opportunity for A Cool Earth

5-6 October 2016 At the Innovation for a Cool Earth in Tokyo, Japan

John C. Mankins

Mankins Space Technology, Inc.

Santa Maria, California

[email protected]

Space Solar Power: SPS-ALPHA

Mankins Space Technology Inc. © 2016 5-6 October 2016

Why do we Need New / Sustainable Energy Sources?

pg. 2

• Population, Quality of Life, CO2, Climate …



The Vision of Space Solar Power Affordable / Dispatchable Solar Energy 24-7-365



How is it Done Today?

Current Space Systems Architectures

pg. 4




1979 SPS Reference Concept in GEO

pg. 5




Some More Recent SPS Concepts: 1997-2010

Pg_ 6



A New Architectural Approach

Hyper-Modular Networked Systems



Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrarily Large Phased Array

SPS-ALPHA Mk-II Description

• SPS-ALPHA Mk-II incorporates a novel optical

configuration that eliminates the new for extremely large

pointing mirrors (and associated “single points of failure”)

• SPS-ALPHA Mk-II intelligent modular elements include

the following:

o Interconnect Modules: micro-spacecraft that serve to connect

everything

o Deployable Structure Modules: deployable structural “beams”

o SPG Module: local solar power generation, with local power

management and distribution (PMAD)

o WPT Module: a microwave wireless power transmission

system based on the retro-directive phased array approach

o Deployable Reflector Modules: large thin-film reflectors

o Modular Autonomous Robotic Equipment: robots providing all

manipulation

o Propulsion and Attitude Control Modules; use of Reflectors as

“sails” for station-keeping

Pg_ 8



SPS-ALPHA: A Hyper-Modular Architecture

One Architecture – Evolution to the ”Mark II”



SPS-ALPHA Mk-II Performance (Current Est.)

• Power delivered > 2 GW

• Mass in GEO at ~ 9200 MT @ ~$11.4B

• Cost of Electricity ~3 ¢ kWh, with ETO @

$600 / kg

• Economic Lifetime @ 30 years (assumed)

• With various “moderate” advancement

assumptions for key performance

parameters / technologies



Closing Observations

• There is an urgent need to mitigate the looming risk of climate change

while meeting the energy demands of increasing populations and

improving economic conditions

• In the judgment of many experts, these potentially-conflicting goals are

unlikely to be accomplished solely through the use of already-existing

technologies

• Among other technologies, solar power satellites (SPS) remain one of

the most promising, but as yet largely undeveloped options to

accomplish these goals

• A novel concept, the updated SPS via Arbitrarily Large Phased Array

(“SPS-ALPHA Mark-II”) presents a realistic opportunity to accomplish

space solar – delivering 100s of gigawatts of carbon-free energy by mid-

century.

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Space Solar: A Transformational Opportunity for A Cool Earth