Incubator Study: Space Solar Power Economics

Space Solar Power (SSP) is a concept which in one application would beam energy from space to Earth. The concept could help solve energy needs on the Earth and in space. The concept of solar power satellites in high Earth orbit beaming power to the surface was conceived by Dr. Peter Glaser in 1967. Between then and 1980, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Energy studied the concept thoroughly and developed preliminary designs that were projected to be technologically feasible. While these studies also indicated economic feasibility, a number of the premises made were criticized as being too optimistic, importantly, a very low cost of moving material to space. In the past twenty years, many aspects of the technology have come of age, and there has been solid progress in reducing the cost of access to space. Recent studies indicate a much more credible projection of economic feasibility. Also in recent years, there has been a recognition that current human practices for energy acquisition and utilization carry serious environmental risk, including global climate change. This recognition has increased the sense of urgency for the development of sustainable and clean energy sources, including space-based solar.

Activities

SpaceWorks Commercial continues to examine the potential cost and economics of Space Solar Power (SSP). This includes the cost of a demonstrator and near-term, operational system.

Specifically, SpaceWorks Commercial is involved with a recent International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) study entitled "Solar Energy from Space: The First International Assessment of Opportunities, Issues and Potential Pathways Forward" led by Mr. John Mankins and Dr. Nobuyuki Kaya.

The overall goals of the IAA study are:
- To determine what role solar energy from space might play in meeting the rapidly growing need for abundant and sustainable energy during the coming decades
- To assess the technological readiness and risks associated with the space-based solar power concept
- To frame a notional international roadmap that could lead to the realization of the concept

For this study, the international community of scientists, space engineers and technologists involved in research into solar energy from space will collaborate in the pursuit of an internationally-coordinated roadmap on SSP.

As part of the IAA study, SpaceWorks commercial will be examining the commercial potential for Space Solar Power. SpaceWorks Commercial will be presenting initial results of some of this work at several upcoming conferences in 2009.