Space-Based Solar Power An Opportunity for Strategic Security

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Space-Based Solar PowerAn Opportunity for
Strategic Security
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Outline

• Trends of Concern
• Space-Based Solar Power
• DoD, National, and International Impact
• The Role of U.S. Government Leadership

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The Energy ChallengeOur Generations Challenge
When asked shortly after WWII Prof Einstein,
what do you see as the greatest threat to
mankind?
His prompt reply Exponential growth.
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The Energy Challenge Trends of Concern
Population
Energy

• Energy growth tracks w/ population economic
  growth
• Liquid fossil fuels may peak before alternatives
  come on line causing inability for supply to
  match demand, shortages economic shock,
  instability / state failure, and great power
  competition
• Three energy concerns 1) mobility fuels, 2)
  base-load electricity, 3) peak-use electricity

• By 2025, the world will have added 2 billion more
  people, 56 of the global population will be in
  Asia, and 66 will live in urban areas along the
  coasts

Climate Change
American Competitiveness

• Increased CO2 production may alter the Earths
  climate, possibly causing
• Rising ocean levels and loss of coastal areas
• More intense tropical storms humanitarian ops
• Agricultural climate changecausing migration,
  and shifts in power, ethnic land based conflict

• The U.S. is losing global market share
  leadership
• RD investments skilled workforce are declining
• "a major workforce crisis in the aerospace
  industrya threat to national security and the
  U.S. ability to continue as a world leader.

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The Energy Challenge Future Energy Options Must
Be

• Following wood, coal, and oil, the 4th energy
  must be
• Non-depletable - to prevent resource conflicts
• Environmentally clean to permit a sustainable
  future
• Continuously Available to provide base-load
  security for everyone
• In a usable form to permit efficient
  consumption minimal infrastructure
• Low cost - to permit constructive opportunity for
  all populations
• A portfolio of substantial investments are
  needed, but options in the next 20-30 years are
  limited

Source Clean Safe Reliable Base-load
Fossil Fuel No Yes Decades remaining Yes
Nuclear No Yes Fuel Limited Yes
Wind Power Yes Yes Intermittent No
Ground Solar Yes Yes Intermittent No
Hydro Yes Yes Drought Complex Scheduling Drought Complex Scheduling
Bio-fuels Yes Yes Limited Qty Competes w/Food Limited Qty Competes w/Food
Space Solar Yes Yes Yes Yes
Adapted from Dr. Ralph Nansens book, Sun
Power
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The Energy Challenge But What If National
Leaders Had A Solution

• That Directly Addresses Global Energy Security
  Concerns?
• Can Deliver Power to Worlds Energy Rich and
  Poor Alike
• Provides A Truly Sustainable Clean Energy Path
  Thru 21st Century
• While Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness and Export
  Opportunities?
• Todays U.S. Technical Leadership Can Become
  Economic Boom
• (Space Carrying Trade, Energy Export, Material
  Science, Robotics,)
• With Pre-existing U.S. Public Support?
• 2002 American Space Use Poll - 1 Space Energy
  2 Planetary Defense
• That Propels A Respected U.S. International
  Leadership Image?
• Demonstrating a Global Solution to a Global
  Problem
• And Responds to the Interests of Both Political
  Parties?
• Benefiting Conservative Business Interests
• Benefiting Liberal Social Environmental
  Interests

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Capabilities and ChallengesWhat is Space Solar
Power?

• Solar Energy is captured in space by large
  photovoltaic arrays and transmitted via a
  coherent microwave or laser beam to an Earth
  receiver where it is converted into either
  base-load electric power, low-intensity charging
  power, or synthetic fuels
• Sunlight captured in space is many times more
  effective in providing continuous base load power
  compared to a solar array on the Earth
• SBSP has been studied since 1970s by DOE, NASA,
  ESA, and JAXA, but has generally fallen through
  the cracks because no organization is
  responsible for both Space Programs and Energy
  Security

Space Solar
Solar Intensity 1,366 W/m2
No Night
Min Weather
Ground Solar
Solar Intensity 1,000 W/m2
Night Loss
Weather Loss
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DoD, National, and International Impact Invest,
Survive, Flourish and Grow A Future History
Sustainable Civilization
Stable Population
Stable Climate
Demographic Transition
Reduce Conflict
Reduce GHG
Stellar Probe
Less Poverty
Nations develop
Travel
Growth in GDP
Export Markets
Industrialization
Hurricane Diversion
Telecom
Tourism
Clean Energy
Asteroid Defense
Directed Energy
OMV
SBSP
Beamed Propulsion
Tether
Dredge Harbor
Reusable Launch Vehicle
ISRU
Wireless Power Transmission
Space Radar Traffic Control
Energy Infrastructure
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DoD, National, and International ImpactSBSP
Economic Opportunities

• Energy Sales
• U.S. Energy Companies Utilities as Global
  Market Suppliers of Clean Energy
• Space Access
• Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) for Rapid/Low-Cost
  Space Access (lt500/kg)
• Space Tourism / Travel
• Lunar resource extraction/utilization following
  NASA exploration
• Orbital Infrastructure
• In-space Transport and Maintenance
• Space Manufacturing Systems
• Robotic Systems
• Power Generation
• High-efficiency/High-volume Space Terrestrial
  Solar Collection Systems
• Space Terrestrial Power Distribution Technology
• Wireless Power Beaming
• Terrestrial Remote Power Transmission (Low-Cost
  Modern Infrastructure)
• Continuous Electronics Re-Charge (Expanded
  Wireless Capabilities)
• Enhanced Telecommunications Capabilities
  (Industrial Personal)
• Enhanced/Persistent Earth Monitoring (Radar
  Systems)

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DoD, National, and International Impact SBSP
National Security Benefits

• Space Access and Maneuver
• RLV Development for Operationally Responsive
  Space
• Increased technical readiness for Space Tethers
• Surveillance
• High Power and Large Aperture development for
  Space Radar
• Space Structures
• Higher efficiency and Lighter Weight Solar Cells
• Increased technical readiness for Membrane
  Solar Dynamic Structures
• Industrial and Science Technology Capabilities
• Preservation of a Robust Aerospace Industry
• Science and Engineering Educational emphasis
• Advanced Robotics and Unmanned Systems
• Operational Maneuver on Earth
• Increased technical readiness for Direct Beaming
  of Transmitted Power
• Electricity-to-Fuel Conversion competence

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DoD, National, and International ImpactDoD SBSP
Energy Applications

• 24/7 Off-Grid Garrison Base Power
• 5 - 15 MW/day rectenna
• 24/7 Deployed Base Power Fuel
• 5-8 MW continuous requirement
• JP-8 via Sabatier refining processes
• Floating rectenna sea base capability
• Humanitarian/Nation Building Power
• Defendable electrical power supply
• Energy w/low infrastructure cost/time
• Mobile Platform/Soldier Power
• Direct beaming to air or seaborne platforms
• Low-power beaming for soldier recharge
• Enables permanent surveillance/ops
• Space Applications
• Satellite power/maneuver
• Space-based radar
• Debris de-orbit

Courtesy of Northrop Grumman
Courtesy of Raytheon
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Capabilities and Challenges If this has been
looked at before, whats changed?
Technology!

• 40 Efficient Solar Cells!
• Materials / Nanotechnology
• Radar Laser Technology
• Robotics / In-Space
• Construction Servicing
• Deployable / Gossamer
• Structures
• Thermal Protection
• Tethers

NRC-Validated NASA Fresh-Look SERT Studies
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Capabilities and Challenges If this has been
looked at before, whats changed?
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Capabilities and Challenges Security the Space
Solar Power Option

• Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) is an attractive
  long-term technology option that involves a
  compelling synergy between Energy Security, Space
  Security, and National Security
• Japan, China, India EU already see the
  potential
• The most significant technical challenges are the
  development of
• Low-cost re-usable space access
• Demonstration of space-to-Earth power beaming
• Efficient and light space-qualified solar arrays
• Space Assembly, Maintenance and Servicing, and
• Large in-space structures
• These are in areas that already interest the DoD
  and others and with modest departures to
  current RD efforts could retire many of the
  technical barriers to Space-Based Solar Power

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DoD, National, and International ImpactProposed
Vision Objectives of Space Solar Power
Assured Energy Security for the U.S. and Its
Allies through Affordable Abundant Space
Solar Power with First Power within 25 years
- VISION - The United States and Partners enable
within the next 20 years the development and
deployment of affordable Space Solar Power
systems that assure the long-term, sustainable
energy security of the U.S. and all mankind
Innovation that Creates Novel Technologies and
Systems Enabling New, Highly Profitable
Industries on Earth and in Space
Assured U.S. Preeminence in Space Access and
Operations through Dramatic Advances in
Transformational Space Capabilities
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The Role of U.S. Government LeadershipA
Potential Action Plan

• Space-Based Solar Power
• Should be re-evaluated for technical feasibility
  and deliverability in a strategically relevant
  period (other nations have stated goals started
  RD)
• May offer significant unique energy security
  benefits in an international context
• Requires only a relatively modest additional
  investment to address key barriers
• Represents a small departure from existing U.S.
  (DOD, DOE, NASA) programsbut involves tremendous
  synergies with other national goals
• The U.S. may want to consider a major SBSP
  program
• U.S. Government can play a significant role
  because its responsibilities and programs
  straddle energy, security, and space
• Next Steps (Action Items/Options)
• (A) NSSO initial situation-assessment
  architecture study through Sep 2007
• (O) Sponsor a fast-paced directed quick-look
  study (3-4 months 500K)
• (O) If the results are positive, a larger scale,
  seedling-type study should be undertaken to add
  legitimacy (12 months 2M)
• (O) Results would inform a range of decisions by
  NLT 2009
• (O) Form a national SBSP organization w/concept
  demos in 5-7 years

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The Role of U.S. Government LeadershipDevelopment
Steps for Consideration

• Quick Look Study 4-months, 500K
• State-of-the-art review using existing NASA
  modeling tools
• Seedling Study 12-months 2M
• Technical, financial, environmental,
  organizational risk-retirement roadmaps
• Identify legitimate SBSP development partner
  groups
• Build a credible business case
• Private/Public SBSP Corporation
• Congressionally approved entity using successful
  Commsat model
• Concept Demonstrations 5-7 years
• Should include international entrepreneurial
  partnership where able
• DARPA-led w/NASA, DOE, NSF DoD collaboration
• Ground-to-ground high-power microwave or laser
  transmission
• Ground-to-aerostat-to-ground microwave or laser
  retransmission
• LEO- and GEO-to-Earth power transmission
• Space-to-space power transmission
• Orbital maneuver space infrastructure
  technologies
• Low-cost space access technology development and
  flight demonstrations

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The Role of U.S. Government LeadershipJoining
Government, Commercial, Intl SBSP Interests
DOE Solar Cells Terrestrial Distribution
DoD
NASA
- VISION - The United States and Partners enable
within the next 20 years the development and
deployment of affordable Space Solar Power
systems that assure the long-term, sustainable
energy security of the U.S. and all mankind
Space Structures Tethers OM
DARPA Natl Labs Academia
Robotics, Materials, Computational Intelligence,
Lasers, Chips, WPT NSF
Private Investment Energy, Aerospace, Telecom,
Venture
International Intelsat-Type Corporation Energy
Launch Services
We Do These Things Not Because They Are Easy,
but Because they Are Hard - President John F.
Kennedy
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ConclusionSpace-Based Solar Power A Strategic
Opportunity for America
Energy Security
Environmental Security
SPACE-BASED SOLAR POWER
Economic Competitiveness
National Needs
Bring feasibility to the attention of natl
leadership - highlight USGs enabling role
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Back-Up Slides
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The Potential of Space Solar PowerBroad Public
Support

• Over the years, a number of goals have been
  proposed for the U.S. space program including
  missions to Mars (Zubrin 1996), space
  colonization (O'Neill 1976), a return to the moon
  (Spudis 1996), and space tourism (David 2004).
  The purpose of this exploratory study was to
  measure the level of public interest in different
  space goals.
• Two goals stood out far beyond all others. The
  first of these goals was developing the
  capability of using Space-Based Solar Power
  (SBSP) or space energy to meet the nation's
  energy needs. In 2002 32 percent, nearly 1/3 of
  the respondents, supported this goal. In 2005, 35
  percent, again nearly 1/3 of respondents,
  supported the development of SBSP. The second
  goal that appeared to receive broad support was
  developing the technology to deflect asteroids or
  comets that might threaten the Earth with impact
  (planetary defense).

2002 2005 Space Goal
32 35 Build satellites in Earth orbit to collect solar energy to beam to utilities on Earth
23 17 Develop the technology to deflect asteroids or comets that might destroy the Earth
4 10 Send humans to Mars
2 7 Search for life on other planets
6 7 Build a human colony in space
5 4 Build a base on the moon for humans to use for exploration of the moon
3 6 Develop a passenger rocket to send tourists into space
11 2 None of the above, we should stop spending money on space
13 10 No Opinion
1 2 None of the above
2002 Survey - National Space Goals
Matula Loveland, 2006
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SBSP is most like Hydroelectric

• High Capital Costs
• Long Payback
• No Fossil Fuel Feed
• Renewable
• 2.5 GW (sustained)

• High Capital Costs
• Long Payback
• No Fossil Fuel Feed
• Renewable
• 2.07 GW (peak)

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How big is the SBSP resource?
363 TW-yrs Total area of a cylinder of 1km width
and perimeter at GEO (w2pir). In reality, you
would not build a ring, and individual powersats
could be turned normal to the Sun. However a
ring establishes the max upper limit of energy
and is a good approximation. For a ring, max
limit of actual radiation available in a 1km band
must be reduced by self-shielding (pi/2), and
perhaps worst inclination degrees (cosine of 23
degrees .92)
Remaining Oil Reserve of 1.285 TBBL 249.4
TW-yrs More and more of this oil will have to be
used to recover remaining reserves
250 TW-yrs
212TW-yrs
Annual World Energy Demand (All Forms)
Annual energy Available in just 1 km of GEO
All Recoverable Oil
50 TW (2050)
30 TW (2025)
Annual Energy-to-Grid On-Earth 21 TW assuming
10 Solar-to-Grid of 1 km
15 TW (2007)
Annual Oil Production 8TW-yr
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Drilling Up How large is the GEO solar resource?
1km
1 year x 1 km wide band 212 TW-years All
Remaining Oil Resource 250 TW-years
Every Kilometer-wide band at GEO receives nearly
as much energy per annum as the content of the
entire remaining oil 1.28 T BBls of oil remaining
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How many 5GW SPS would it take to displace
generating capacity?

• Nigeria 1
• North Korea 1.5
• Burma 1.5
• U.S.A. Annual Growth 1-2
• Venezuela 4
• Thailand 5
• Mexico 10
• South Korea 10
• Africa 20

• India 23
• Japan 52
• China 68
• U.S.A. Base-Load 69
• OECD Europe 150
• U.S.A. Total Capacity 200
• World Today 742
• Electric Gen only
• World 2100 10,000
• All Energy for projected population at Developed
  Lifestyle (50TW)

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The Limits of SBPS
5 GW

• Assuming Each SPS delivers 5GW
• It would require up to 4 SPS to built per year to
  meet current annual growth in US Electrical
  Demand (2 of 1 TW, or 20 GW)
• It would require 200 SPS to replace current US
  Generating Capacity of 1 TW (70 Fossil Fuels,
  50 Coal)
• It would require 742 SPS to meet todays World
  Electrical Demand of 3.7TW, spaced one every 357
  km
• It would require 10 to replace current generating
  capacity of Mexico or South Korea1 for Nigeria,
  4 for venezuela, 5 Thailand, 20 doubles all
  africa,
• It would require 10,000 SPS to meet the Total
  Energy Demand of the World in 2100, estimated to
  be 50TW (50,000GW, or 5KWe for each of 10 billion
  people)

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A New ApproachSpace Power Feasibility Evolution
ESA Study
Japan METI / JASDA Study
X-33
DC-X
RLV
TAV
NASA/NSF JIETSBSP
NASA Fresh Look
NASA SERT
NASA / DOE studies
NRC Report
Reference Design
Peter Glaser Proposes
NRC
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Does this look like an energy project to you?

• .7 1.2B first unit cost
• (6-10B Development)

• 1 - 5B

It should. Think of an RLV as an energy mining
platform. The way to energy security is through
space.