Wireless Power Wireless Power Transmission and the Effect Transmission and the Effect

of its Development on of its Development on Planetary ExplorationPlanetary Exploration

Nicola SoperNicola Soper

International Space University SSP05International Space University SSP05

Mars Society Conference 5Mars Society Conference 5thth August August 20052005

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

IntroductionIntroduction

HistoryHistory TechnologyTechnology LimitationsLimitations Benefits and General ApplicationsBenefits and General Applications Near term Affects for Mars Near term Affects for Mars

ExplorationExploration Long term affects for Mars Long term affects for Mars

ExplorationExploration ConclusionsConclusions

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

History of WPTHistory of WPT

Brief HistoryBrief History Nikola Telsa – Experimented in 1899Nikola Telsa – Experimented in 1899

Imagined a global wireless power distribution Imagined a global wireless power distribution systemsystem

William BrownWilliam Brown Established microwave to electricity conversionEstablished microwave to electricity conversion

Invention of the Solar PanelInvention of the Solar Panel First NASA solar powered satellite 1958First NASA solar powered satellite 1958

Oil CrisisOil Crisis NASA programNASA program

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

TechnologyTechnology

Solar HarnessingSolar Harnessing Dynamic Power Generation via turbomachineryDynamic Power Generation via turbomachinery Photovoltaic CellsPhotovoltaic Cells

Beam TechnologyBeam Technology Microwave (Radio frequency)Microwave (Radio frequency) Laser (Infrared FrequencyLaser (Infrared Frequency

Alternative = Mirrors to focus direct sunlightAlternative = Mirrors to focus direct sunlight

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

LimitationsLimitations CostCost Atmospheric and Weather EffectsAtmospheric and Weather Effects SafetySafety Technical MaturityTechnical Maturity LegalLegal

Article IV of Outer Space Treaty 1967???, is it a Article IV of Outer Space Treaty 1967???, is it a weapon of Mass Destruction?weapon of Mass Destruction?

ABM TreatyABM Treaty Article II of Outer Space Treaty Non-Appropriation of Article II of Outer Space Treaty Non-Appropriation of

space (protection)space (protection) ENMOD conventionENMOD convention

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

In OrbitIn Orbit Greater Intensity of Sunlight in SpaceGreater Intensity of Sunlight in Space Independence on Temporal Cycle - 99% time in Independence on Temporal Cycle - 99% time in

Sunlight in GEOSunlight in GEO Not subject to dimming over day periodNot subject to dimming over day period Not subject to weather affectsNot subject to weather affects

Benefits and ApplicationsBenefits and Applications

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

Greater Power per Greater Power per unit areaunit area

Light weight Light weight deployable deployable structuresstructures

Alternative to Solar Alternative to Solar Arrays and Nuclear Arrays and Nuclear PowerPower

Benefits and ApplicationsBenefits and Applications

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

Some ApplicationsSome Applications Global Energy DemandGlobal Energy Demand

50 x (5km squared panels) illuminated 99% time50 x (5km squared panels) illuminated 99% time

Beamed Energy TransportationBeamed Energy Transportation Direction Propellant heatingDirection Propellant heating Electric PowerElectric Power

Lunar Base, ISS, Satellite ConstellationLunar Base, ISS, Satellite Constellation Commercial ApplicationsCommercial Applications

Tourism, Hotels etc.Tourism, Hotels etc.

Planetary Exploration and ColonisationPlanetary Exploration and Colonisation Planetary ProtectionPlanetary Protection

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

Planetary ExplorationPlanetary Exploration - Near Term - Near Term

Mission to Mission to Meridium PlanumMeridium Planum Remote LocationsRemote Locations Mass AdvantagesMass Advantages 24hr Power24hr Power

06/08/200506/08/2005Nicola SoperNicola Soper

Mars Society Conference 2005Mars Society Conference 2005

ColonisationColonisation Exploration, Human and RoboticExploration, Human and Robotic Multi SettlementsMulti Settlements Satellite Networks e.g. Communications, Satellite Networks e.g. Communications,

Remote Sensing, GPS etc.Remote Sensing, GPS etc. Planetary ProtectionPlanetary Protection Planetary Environmental Planetary Environmental

ControlControl

Planetary ExplorationPlanetary Exploration - Long Term - Long Term

Thank youThank youAny Questions?Any Questions?

Nicola SoperNicola Soper

International Space University SSP05International Space University SSP05

Mars Society Conference 5Mars Society Conference 5thth August August 20052005