Space-based Solar Power

Technology Roadmap Sections and Deliverables

• 2SSP - Space-based Solar Power

We’ve chosen the acronym 2SSP to represent our technology of Space-based Solar Power. The 2 in our acronym implies the system level, within the level 1 system of renewable energy source​. Our level 2 system level can be broken down into level 3 subsystems (high-efficiency solar panels​, wireless power transfer, etc.) and level 4 components (photovoltaic materials​, antenna structures, etc.).

Roadmap Overview

The working principle of Space-based Solar Power is depicted in the below.

This technology transforms solar radiation into energy using the solar panels on a spacecraft, which then wirelessly transmit the energy to a receiving ground station. The captured energy is then converted to electricity before storage and/or distribution.​

​The large solar array would take advantage of the higher intensity of sunlight outside the planet's atmosphere, as well as unimpeded access to the sun that is unconstrained by the day/night cycle. The electricity is then channeled to a transmitter for long distance wireless transfer via a focused and steerable beam – a key technical challenge. On Earth, the energy would be received and converted back to electricity by the ground station for use.​

Number	Potential Use Cases
1	Simplify energy delivery to remote areas
2	Provide more consistent solar power to high latitudes​
3	Provide disaster relief to areas with damaged infrastructure​
4	Recharge other satellites on orbit

​

Design Structure Matrix (DSM) Allocation

The 2-SSP tree that we can extract from the DSM above shows us that Space-based Solar Power (2SSP) is part of a larger initiative on renewable energy sources (1RES). It requires the following key enabling technologies at the subsystem level: 3HSP High-Efficiency Solar Panels, 3HPC High-Power Conversion, and 3WPS Wireless Power Transfer (e.g., this includes the management of energy distribution and efficiency). In turn, these technologies require enabling components at level 4, the technology component level: 4PVM Photovoltaic Materials, 4SUC Supercapacitors, 4SCD Semiconductor Devices, and 4ATS Antenna Structures, etc.

​ [Interdependencies with other roadmaps​]​

Potentially required for assembly​:

https://roadmaps.mit.edu/index.php/Space_Booms​

Potentially required for assembly​:

https://roadmaps.mit.edu/index.php/On_Orbit_Refueling_Repositioning​

Will aid debris avoidal capability​:

https://roadmaps.mit.edu/index.php/Ground_Based_Radar_For_Space_Situational_Awareness​

Will aid debris avoidal capability​:

https://roadmaps.mit.edu/index.php/Satellite_Autonomous_Systems​

Necessary for reaction control system​:

https://roadmaps.mit.edu/index.php/Space_electric_propulsion​

Necessary for spacecraft thermal control​

https://roadmaps.mit.edu/index.php/Variable_Emissivity_Materials_For_Spacecraft​

Roadmap Model using OPM

In the figure below, we provide an Object-Process-Diagram (OPD) of the 2SSP roadmap. This diagram captures the main object of the roadmap (Space-based Solar Power), its various instances, including main competitors, its decomposition into subsystems, its characterization by Figures of Merit (FOMs), as well as the main processes (Transmitting, Receiving, etc.).

Figures of Merit

The table below shows a list of FOMs by which space-based solar power can be assessed. The table also contains the FOM trends as well as the key governing equations that underpin the technology.

References

[1] Pereira, R. A. M., & Carvalho, N. B. (2022). Quasioptics for increasing the beam efficiency of wireless power transfer systems. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 21138. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25471-0

[2] NASA. (2023, October 5). New study updates NASA on space-based solar power. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/otps/space-based-solar-power-report/

[3] European Space Agency. 2023. Space-based solar power: seeking ideas to make it a reality. ESA. https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Preparing_for_the_Future/Discovery_and_Preparation/Space-based_solar_power_seeking_ideas_to_make_it_a_reality