Space-Based Solar Power

An Opportunity for Strategic Security

2

Outline

• Trends of Concern

• Space-Based Solar Power– DoD, National, and International Impact

• The Role of U.S. Government Leadership

3

The Energy Challenge

Our Generation’s Challenge

When asked shortly after

WWII:

“Prof Einstein, what do you see as the greatest threat to

mankind?”

His prompt reply:

“Exponential growth.”

4

The Energy Challenge

Trends of Concern

Asia56%

Africa13%

Middle East3%

Western Europe 5%Eastern Europe

7%Our Hemisphere

13%(US = 4%)

• 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

• Increased CO2 production may alter the Earth’s climate, possibly causing:

– Rising ocean levels and loss of coastal areas

– More intense tropical storms & humanitarian ops

– Agricultural climate change—causing migration, and shifts in power, ethnic & land based conflict

Climate Change

Population

American Competitiveness

• The U.S. is losing global market share & leadership

• R&D investments & skilled workforce are declining– "a major workforce crisis in the aerospace industry…a

threat to national security and the U.S. ability to continue as a world leader.”

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

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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…

* Adapted from Dr. Ralph Nansen’s book, “Sun Power”

SourceSource CleanClean SafeSafe ReliableReliable Base-loadBase-load

Fossil FuelFossil Fuel NoNo YesYes Decades Decades remainingremaining YesYes

NuclearNuclear NoNo YesYes Fuel LimitedFuel Limited YesYes

Wind PowerWind Power YesYes YesYes IntermittentIntermittent NoNo

Ground SolarGround Solar YesYes YesYes IntermittentIntermittent NoNo

HydroHydro YesYes YesYes Drought; Complex SchedulingDrought; Complex Scheduling

Bio-fuelsBio-fuels YesYes YesYes Limited Qty – Competes w/FoodLimited Qty – Competes w/Food

Space SolarSpace Solar YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes

• That Directly Addresses Global Energy Security Concerns?

• Can Deliver Power to World’s Energy Rich and Poor Alike

• Provides A Truly Sustainable & Clean Energy Path Thru 21st Century

• While Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness and Export Opportunities?

• Today’s 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

The Energy Challenge But What If National Leaders Had A Solution…

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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 1970’s 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 SolarSolar Intensity

1,366 W/m2

Solar Intensity1,000 W/m2

No Night

Night Loss

Min Weather

Weather Loss

Ground Solar

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Export MarketsExport Markets

SBSPSBSP

Stable PopulationStable Population

DoD, National, and International Impact Invest, Survive, Flourish and Grow – A Future History

Wireless Power Wireless Power TransmissionTransmission

OMVOMV

IndustrializationIndustrialization

TourismTourism

Stellar ProbeStellar Probe

Hurricane Hurricane DiversionDiversion

AsteroidAsteroidDefenseDefense

Space RadarSpace RadarTraffic ControlTraffic Control

““Dredge Harbor”Dredge Harbor”

BeamedBeamedPropulsionPropulsion

Sustainable CivilizationSustainable Civilization

Nations developNations developLess PovertyLess Poverty

DemographicDemographicTransitionTransitionReduce GHGReduce GHG

Reduce ConflictReduce Conflict

Stable ClimateStable Climate

TetherTether

TelecomTelecom

TravelTravel

Reusable Reusable Launch VehicleLaunch Vehicle

Directed EnergyDirected Energy

ISRUISRU

EnergyEnergy InfrastructureInfrastructure

Clean EnergyClean Energy

Growth in GDPGrowth in GDP

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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

(<$500/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 Raytheon

Courtesy of Northrop Grumman

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NRC-Validated NASA Fresh-Look &

SERT Studies

• 40% Efficient Solar Cells!40% Efficient Solar Cells!• Materials / NanotechnologyMaterials / Nanotechnology• Radar & Laser TechnologyRadar & Laser Technology• Robotics / In-Space Robotics / In-Space Construction & ServicingConstruction & Servicing• Deployable / Gossamer Deployable / Gossamer StructuresStructures• Thermal ProtectionThermal Protection• TethersTethers

Technology!

Capabilities and Challenges

If this has been looked at before, what’s changed?

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Capabilities and Challenges

If this has been looked at before, what’s 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 R&D 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 U.S. Preeminence

in Space Access and Operations through Dramatic Advances in

Transformational Space Capabilities

Innovation that Creates Novel

Technologies and Systems Enabling New, Highly

Profitable Industries on Earth

and in Space

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

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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 R&D)– 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)

programs…but 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, & Int’l SBSP

Interests

DOEDOE

Solar CellsSolar Cells

Terrestrial Terrestrial DistributionDistribution

Robotics, Materials, Computational Intelligence, Robotics, Materials, Computational Intelligence, Lasers, Chips, WPT…Lasers, Chips, WPT…

NSFNSF

DARPADARPANat’l Labs; AcademiaNat’l Labs; Academia

DoDDoD

NASANASA

Space Space StructuresStructures

TethersTethers

O&MO&M

Private InvestmentPrivate InvestmentEnergy, Aerospace, Telecom, Venture…Energy, Aerospace, Telecom, Venture…

International “Intelsat-Type” International “Intelsat-Type” CorporationCorporation

Energy & Launch ServicesEnergy & Launch Services

RLVRLVWPTWPT

”We Do These Things Not Because They Are Easy, but Because they Are Hard…”

- President John F. Kennedy

- 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

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ConclusionSpace-Based Solar Power – A Strategic Opportunity for

America

Energy SecurityEnergy Security Environmental SecurityEnvironmental Security

National NeedsNational NeedsEconomic CompetitivenessEconomic Competitiveness

SPACE-BASED SOLAR POWER

Bring feasibility to the attention of nat’l leadership - highlight USG’s enabling role

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 Survey - National Space Goals

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

Matula & Loveland, 2006

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SBSP is most like Hydroelectric

• High Capital Costs

• Long Payback

• No Fossil Fuel Feed

• Renewable

• 2.07 GW (peak)

• High Capital Costs

• Long Payback

• No Fossil Fuel Feed

• Renewable

• 2.5 GW (sustained)

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How big is the SBSP resource?

Annual World Energy Demand

(All Forms)

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

All Recoverable Oil

~250 TW-yrs

363 TW-yrsTotal area of a cylinder of 1km width and perimeter at GEO (w*2*pi*r). 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)

15 TW (2007)30 TW (2025)50 TW (2050)

Annual energy Available in just 1 km of GEO

~212TW-yrs~212TW-yrs

Annual Oil Production ~8TW-yr

Annual Energy-to-Grid On-Earth 21 TW assuming 10% Solar-to-Grid of 1 km

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Drilling Up: How large is the GEO solar resource?

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

1 year x 1 km wide band ≈ 212 TW-years

All Remaining Oil Resource≈ 250 TW-years

1km

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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

• 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 today’s World Electrical

Demand of 3.7TW, spaced one every 357 km• It would require 10 to replace current generating capacity of

Mexico or South Korea;1 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)

5 GW

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NRC ReportPeter Glaser Proposes

NASA Fresh Look

NASASERT

NASA / DOE studies

NRC

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Jap

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JAS

DA

Stu

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RLV

X-33DC-X

TAV

Reference Design

A New ApproachSpace Power Feasibility Evolution

NA

SA

/NS

FJI

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SB

SP

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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.

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