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Space Solar Power Exploratory Research and Technology program
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<p> The <a href="/facts/Space_Solar_Power/sQsRh0VI">Space Solar Power</a> Exploratory Research and Technology program (SERT) program, conducted by <a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a>, was initiated by <a href="/facts/John_C._Mankins/CAE0ubT3">John C. Mankins</a> and led by Joe Howell in March 1999 for the following purpose: </p> <ul><li>Perform design studies of selected flight demonstration concepts;</li> <li>Evaluate studies of the general feasibility, design, and requirements.</li> <li>Create conceptual designs of subsystems that make use of advanced SSP technologies to benefit future space or terrestrial applications.</li> <li>Formulate a preliminary plan of action for the U.S. (working with international partners) to undertake an aggressive technology initiative.</li> <li>Construct technology development and demonstration roadmaps for critical Space Solar Power (SSP) elements. It was to develop a <a href="/facts/Solar_power_satellite/sQsRh0VI">solar power satellite</a> (SPS) concept for a future gigawatt space power systems to provide electrical power by converting the Sun’s energy and beaming it to the Earth's surface. It was also to provide a developmental path to solutions for current space power architectures. Subject to studies it proposed an inflatable <a href="/facts/Photovoltaic/5Xefaayl">photovoltaic</a> <a href="/facts/Textile_manufacturing_terminology/JzfkKBhG">gossamer</a> structure with concentrator lenses or solar dynamic engines to convert solar <a href="/facts/Flux/Aw3P5Bvb">flux</a> into electricity. The initial program looked at systems in <a href="/facts/Sun-synchronous_orbit/3HonupUd">Sun-synchronous orbit</a>, but by the end of the program, most of the analysis looked at <a href="/facts/Geosynchronous_orbit/nR2yaeUg">geosynchronous</a>ing unimaginably large initial investments in fixed infrastructure before the emplacement of productive power plants can begin.</li> <li>Space solar power systems appear to possess many significant environmental advantages when compared to alternative approaches.</li> <li>The economic viability of space solar power systems depends on many factors and the successful development of various new technologies (not least of which is the availability of exceptionally low cost access to space) however, the same can be said of many other advanced power technologies options.</li> <li>Space solar power may well emerge as a serious candidate among the options for meeting the energy demands of the 21st century.</li></ul>