ESA funds technology for Earth and Moon base SBSP

by | Aug 15, 2008 | ESA | 2 comments

The European Space Agency’s general studies programme is to assess a laser-based SBPS concept for Earth and for the lunar surface. Small scale science missions’ laser power transmissions will also be considered

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The ESA work will include an assessment of the integration of space-based solar power plants into terrestrial ones, “including innovative approaches to orbit selection [and] methods for the adaptation of terrestrial solar power plants to serve in addition as receiving stations for space solar power plants”

According to the European agency direct solar pumped laser technologies offer the option of increasing total laser conversion efficiencies “by an order of magnitude” and innovative beam control and steering technologies, laser to electricity conversion systems and a combination of parallel data, power transmission techniques are of interest

An earlier ESA study found that some SBSP related technologies were now showing “near- to mid-term potential”

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