Practical designs for power transmission were developed to meet requirements and constraints. Microwave link error was analyzed to confirm attainability of acceptable link efficiency. Silicon photovoltaic was determined to be the best overall choice for energy conversion, with a potassium Rankine cycle as the backup choice. Space transportation operations provide low cost because of traffic level, and the payload volume is the launch vehicle design driver. The power cost is 4 to 5 /kwh, which will be competitive with fossil fuel sources by the year 2000.
Solar Power Satellite System Definition Study. Part 1 and Part 2, Volume 2: Technical Summary
1977
202 pages
Report
No indication
English
Solar Energy , Electric Power Transmission , Electric Power Production , Unmanned Spacecraft , Satellite solar energy conversion , Satellite solar power stations , Energy policy , Satellite design , Systems engineering , Geosynchronous orbits , Microwave transmission , Photovoltaic conversion , Satellite power transmission (To earth) , Microwave power transmission , Electric power plants , Rankine cycle