Laying the Foundation for Space Solar Power: An Assessment of NASA's Space Solar Power Investment Strategy Book

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................1
1 INTRODUCTION....................9
1-1 Electricity and Solar Power....................9
1-2 Background....................10
1-3 Study Approach....................11
References....................11
2 OVERALL SERT PROGRAM EVALUATION....................12
2-1 Evaluation of Total Program Plan and Investment Strategy....................12
2-2 Applications....................23
2-3 International Efforts....................25
References....................27
3 INDIVIDUAL TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT EVALUATIONS....................29
3-1 Systems Integration....................29
3-2 Solar Power Generation....................34
3-3 Space Power Management and Distribution....................37
3-4 Wireless Power Transmission....................40
3-5 Ground Power Management and Distribution....................42
3-6 Space Assembly, Maintenance, and Servicing....................43
3-7 Structures, Materials, and Controls....................47
3-8 Thermal Materials and Management....................51
3-9 Space Transportation and Infrastructure....................53
3-10 Environmental, Health, and Safety Factors....................56
3-11 Platform Systems....................60
References....................60
APPENDIXES A Statement of Task....................65
B Biographical Sketches of Committee Members....................66
C Example of NASA's SERT Program Technology Roadmaps....................69
D Brief Overview of NASA's Space Solar Power Program....................73
E Participants in Committee Meetings....................77
F Acronyms andAbbreviations....................79