Space-Based Power Systems

Space-based power systems have been the stuff of dreams since the early days of the space age, but little has come of these dreams. However, as the social pressure increases to develop alternative energies space-based power systems will take a more prominent role. Solar and wind power on earth has proven to be costly and environmentally damaging. Solar farms on earth require large amounts of toxic heavy metals and need to be replaced often, increasing the release of toxic metals into the environment. Wind turbines kill more endangered birds and alter the migratory patterns of both birds and large herd mammals – and they require hundreds or thousands of acres of land in order to function. These technologies are also very costly. Nearly $10 million is needed just to emplace the hardware in order to yield only 2-3 MWh of power (and that figure does not include operating costs, maintenance, cost of the land, etc.).

Space-based power systems do not take up a single square foot or meter of land on earth (except a small entry point for the energy collected in space – which does not scale up in size when the space-based segment of the power system increased). There is no effect of migration patterns or killing of some of the planet’s most majestic birds. It does not require massive consumption of toxic heavy metals and there is no disposal of these materials on the planet – at all.

The project produces more solar power than a terrestrially based project because the earth’s atmosphere filters out or absorbs a great deal of solar energy before it reaches the surface. In space all of the solar energy is captured, dramatically increasing the overall system’s efficiency.

Space-based power systems offer more energy with no environmental deterioration. Space-based power systems are the only solution that provides a global win-win.