Flournoy Solar Power Satellites

1. Auflage 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4614-2000-2
Verlag: Springer
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 107 Seiten

Reihe: SpringerBriefs in Space Development

Communication satellites are a $144 billion industry. Is there any space-based industry that could possibly beat that market? 'Solar Power Satellites' shows why and how the space satellite industry will soon begin expanding its market from relaying signals to Earth to generating energy in space and delivering it to the ground as electricity. In all industrialized nations, energy demand is growing exponentially. In the developing world, the need for energy is as basic as food and water. The Sun's energy is available everywhere, and it is non-polluting. As business plans demonstrate its technical feasibility, commercial potential, and environmental acceptability, every country on Earth will look to space for the power it needs.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Flournoy, Don M.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Solar Power Satellites;3
1.1;Preface;7
1.2;Contents;9
1.3;Chapter 1: What Is a Solar Power Satellite?;13
1.3.1;What Is a Sunsat?;13
1.3.2;Power Plants in Space;14
1.3.2.1;The Space Segment;15
1.3.2.2;The Launch Segment;16
1.3.2.3;The Ground Segment;17
1.3.3;Challenges That Sunsats Face;18
1.3.4;A Perfect Storm;19
1.3.5;Concluding Thoughts;20
1.3.6;References;20
1.4;Chapter 2: What Are the Principal Sunsat Services and Markets?;21
1.4.1;The Energy Picture;21
1.4.2;Climate Change;22
1.4.3;Satellite Power Markets;23
1.4.3.1;Power-to-Power Utilities;24
1.4.3.2;Power-to-Agriculture;24
1.4.3.3;Power-to-Terrestrial Solar;25
1.4.3.4;Power-to-Fresh Water;26
1.4.4;Power-to-Cities;26
1.4.5;Power-to-Disaster Sites;28
1.4.6;Concluding Thoughts;29
1.4.7;References;29
1.5;Chapter 3: What Will Sunsats Look Like?;31
1.5.1;Technical Feasibility;31
1.5.2;Commercial Viability;32
1.5.3;New Architectures;33
1.5.4;Newer Research;35
1.5.5;Other Technical Challenges;36
1.5.6;Corporate Research;37
1.5.7;Concluding Thoughts;38
1.5.8;References;38
1.6;Chapter 4: How Will Sunsats Be Delivered to Space?;40
1.6.1;Launching Sunsats;40
1.6.2;An Historical Perspective;41
1.6.3;Launch Strategies;42
1.6.4;Reducing Costs;44
1.6.5;Reusable Rockets;46
1.6.6;Alternative Approaches;47
1.6.7;Concluding Thoughts;48
1.6.8;References;49
1.7;Chapter 5: How Will Sunsat Power Be Captured on Earth?;50
1.7.1;Future Prospects;50
1.7.2;Historical Perspective;52
1.7.3;Public Policy Concerns;53
1.7.3.1;Environment and Health;53
1.7.3.2;Upper Atmosphere Effects;54
1.7.3.3;Land Use;55
1.7.3.4;Space Communications;56
1.7.4;Concluding Thoughts;56
1.7.5;References;57
1.8;Chapter 6: What Is the Economic Basis for Solar Power Satellites?;58
1.8.1;The Case for Sunsats;58
1.8.2;Bilateral Project Development;59
1.8.3;Indo-U.S. Collaboration;61
1.8.4;The Commercial Sector;62
1.8.5;Intermediate Steps;63
1.8.6;Concluding Thoughts;64
1.8.7;References;65
1.9;Chapter 7: What Are the Legal Issues?;66
1.9.1;International Development Goals;66
1.9.2;Space Law;68
1.9.2.1;The Outer Space Treaty;68
1.9.2.2;The Liability Convention;69
1.9.2.3;The Registration Convention;70
1.9.2.4;Space Debris;71
1.9.2.5;Microwave Radiation;73
1.9.3;Other Regulatory Issues;73
1.9.3.1;GEO Slot Rights;73
1.9.3.2;Power Beaming;74
1.9.3.3;Renewable Energy Targets;75
1.9.4;The Role of Government;76
1.9.5;Concluding Thoughts;76
1.9.6;References;77
1.10;Chapter 8: How Is Sunsat Development Faring Internationally?;78
1.10.1;SPS over China;78
1.10.1.1;China’s Long-Term Vision;80
1.10.1.2;China’s Energy Future;80
1.10.1.3;Sustainable Development;81
1.10.1.4;A Skilled Workforce;81
1.10.2;Heading Off and Mitigating Disasters;82
1.10.2.1;SPS Implementation;82
1.10.3;SPS over India;83
1.10.3.1;India’s Energy Policies;84
1.10.3.2;India’s Strategic Goals;84
1.10.3.3;Power Capacity Constraints;85
1.10.4;SPS over Japan;86
1.10.4.1;The Japanese National Space Plan;87
1.10.5;International Cooperation and Collaboration;88
1.10.6;Concluding Thoughts;88
1.10.7;References;89
1.11;Chapter 9: What Is Worrisome About Solar Power Satellites?;90
1.11.1;Launch to Space;90
1.11.2;Assembly in Space;91
1.11.3;Wireless Transfer of Energy;91
1.11.4;Land Use;92
1.11.5;Satellite Collisions;93
1.11.6;Space Debris;94
1.11.7;Solar Storms and Flares;94
1.11.8;Signal Interference;95
1.11.9;Concluding Thoughts;95
1.11.10;References;96
1.12;Chapter 10: Top Ten Things to Know About Space Solar Power;97
1.12.1;References;109
1.13;Glossary;111
1.14;About the Author;113
1.15;Index;115