Space Solar Power | EssayIvy.com

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Space Solar Power

The idea of gathering solar power in space to help provide energy on Earth has existed

since the advent of civilization. Several researchers and scientists around the globe have

demonstrated how recent technological advancements in the world could make the concept real.

The solar power on Earth is greatly reduced by seasonality, cloud cover, darkness and

atmosphere, and it leads to some thirty percent of these incoming solar radiations being lost. The

sun shines in atmosphere, and the rotation of the earth does not prevent the way power is

collected (Mankins 25). In addition, there exists no atmosphere to cut down the intensity of the

rays of the sun. The idea encouraged scientists and researchers to put solar panels into space to

help them achieve the possibility of acquiring clean and reliable energy.

Space solar power is a device used to generate solar energy that comes from the space. It

has a critical advantage because power can be transmitted to remote locations that would

otherwise be difficult to build transmission lines. The space solar power utilizes the same

principles used in other types of solar power generators. The only difference involves using solar

panels that are either stationed on the moon or attached to orbiting satellites. The space solar

power gathers the energy from the sunlight found in space and then relays it in a wireless

pathway to the Earth (Mankins 30). Space solar power is the most suitable for providing large

quantities of energy that can help all people on the globe, with minimal environmental impact.

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According to Perlin, the space solar power works in a way that the self-assembling

satellites are plunged into space (110). The launch of these self-assembling satellites is done

together with laser or microwave power transmitter and reflectors. The solar radiation is directed

onto solar panels using inflatable or reflectors that are spread over a large swath of space. The

solar panels alter the power into a laser or a microwave and a beam uninterrupted power that

travels down to Earth. Once it reaches the Earth, the power-receiving stations gather the beam

where they conduct the process of boosting the electric grid’s capacity.

The technological knowhow for the space solar already exists and therefore, they do not

require to be invented. However, the problem that involves these technological advancements is

that they are not being optimally used. If they can be exploited well, they can provide means to

generate sufficient power to be used to power people’s homes and industries. In addition, once

the technological necessities are mastered, people will enjoy the benefits associated with the

space solar powers. They can transport cargo to many destinations using the solar system and tap

the asteroids and comets resources to power the Earth with abundant and clean energy (Perlin

112).

The obstacles to implementation of space solar power involve the infrastructure and

technologies that are expensive. The launch vehicles that are currently being used are costly, and

they may result in pollution problems to the environment if used at high launch rates. Cheap and

clean launch vehicles are required to facilitate the implementation process. The space solar

power satellites are too small to help gather large quantities of energy. The major problem is that

they are not large enough when compared to the ISS (International Space Station) ones. The U.S.

Navy is currently doing research on this source of power with the aim of looking for ways to

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eliminate use of fossil fuels (Perlin 115). The Navy has been heavily investing in the biofuels

and stationary solar powers, but now it wants to tap into space solar power.

The differences in capability and characteristics between the microwaves that are used in

cellular phones or microwave ovens and the laser beams commonly used in presentation pointers

or computer printers have confused the researchers in making a choice. They have not decided

whether to combine them or use one of them. They are currently carrying on experiments to help

them find the more efficient of the two to transmit energy. Regardless of the technology they

decide to use, these scientists will be able to collect sunlight from the outside atmosphere of the

Earth that will help them have a continuous supply of it. The supply will not be influenced by

seasons, weather or time of day. It will be effective and efficient in the collection of solar energy

(Mankins 32).

The status of development of the space solar power involves such countries as Japan,

India, and the United States, which have various projects dealing with this research. They are

developing robots that will assemble solar arrays to help provide the Earth with a large amount

of renewable and clean energy that will be delivered wirelessly. The developments will see a

high production of energy of up to 1GW (Mankins 35). The concept is scientifically sound, as

explained by the experts from the U.S. Navy who have done their research in the Naval Research

Laboratory.

The scientist and researchers in Japan are experiencing many technological challenges

that need to be solved before they implement the space solar powers. Fortunately, in principle,

they claim to be getting close to a specific stage that is feasible. They have managed to proceed

to technology demonstration phase from the study phase. This country is leading in the space

solar power research in the whole world. The researchers in this country are conducting research

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that they will use to demonstrate to the world their technology involving the 1kW-class wireless

power transmission. In addition, they have addressed the technological challenge of controlling

the direction while transmitting power by microwaves. They can now transmit it with much

accuracy to the receiving site found on the ground from a geostationary orbit (Perlin 117). The

use of laser beams in addition with microwaves makes it possible to collect sunlight using large

reflectors.

According to Mankins, the space solar power will be popular if it is fully implemented

(37). The satellites will not produce any greenhouse gases, and they will not take up valuable

land for installation purposes. The cost of space solar power will be relatively cheap when

compared with other forms of solar power. The main reason for the space solar power being

cheap is the initial cost that is met; hence, it will reduce the cost because of cheap costs of

maintenance. This space-based photovoltaic system will be economically feasible, and it will

produce enough amount of energy to be used in the globe.

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Works Cited

Mankins, John. The Case for Space Solar Power. Houston, TX: Virginia Edition Publishing,

2014. Print.

Perlin, John. From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity. Ann Arbor, MI: Aatec

Publications, 1999. Print.

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