A proposal for future small science mission to the moon envisions a network of small landers spread across the lunar surface, at latitudes ranging from equatorial to near polar landing sites. To provide power across the lunar nighttime, when solar power is not available, we analyze a proposal to power such small landers from orbit, using a laser to direct power from an orbital power station to photovoltaic arrays on the landers that are tuned to the laser wavelength. The approach is seen to be feasible, and conops for the system were outlined and a design for the spacecraft put together. To provide power to landers at any location, three orbital stations are required, each carrying a 3-kW laser.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Power Beaming from Lunar Orbit for Small Science Landers


    Contributors:
    G. A. Landis (author) / S. R. Oleson (author) / B. Abshire (author) / B. Dosa (author) / B. Faller (author) / R. McDonough (author) / L. Shalkhauser (author) / P. Simon (author) / ElizabethTurnbull (author) / N. Weckesser (author)

    Publication date :

    2023


    Size :

    7 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Power Beaming From Lunar Orbit for Small Science Landers

    Landis, Geoffrey A. / Oleson, Steven R. | AIAA | 2024


    Power Beaming From Lunar Orbit to Small Lunar Science Assets

    Steven Oleson / Geoffrey Landis / Elizabeth Turnbull | NTRS | 2024


    DEVELOPMENT OF A LASER POWER BEAMING DEMONSTRATION FOR CLPS LANDERS

    Centers, Ross / Schertz, Joshua / Purrington, Curtis et al. | TIBKAT | 2021