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Space solar power provides a way to tap into the practically unlimited supply of solar energy in outer space, where the energy is constantly available without being subjected to the cycles of day and night, seasons, and cloud cover.
The launch, currently slated for early January, represents a major milestone in the project and promises to make what was once science fiction a reality. When fully realized, SSPP will deploy a constellation of modular spacecraft that collect sunlight, transform it into electricity, then wirelessly transmit that electricity over long distances wherever it is needed-including to places that currently have no access to reliable power.
A Momentus Vigoride spacecraft carried aboard a
DOLCE (Deployable on-Orbit ultraLight Composite Experiment): A structure measuring 6 feet by 6 feet that demonstrates the architecture, packaging scheme and deployment mechanisms of the modular spacecraft that would eventually make up a kilometer-scale constellation forming a power station;
ALBA: A collection of 22 different types of photovoltaic (PV) cells, to enable an assessment of the types of cells that are the most effective in the punishing environment of space;
MAPLE (Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment): An array of flexible lightweight microwave power transmitters with precise timing control focusing the power selectively on two different receivers to demonstrate wireless power transmission at distance in space.
An additional fourth component of SSPD is a box of electronics that interfaces with the Vigoride computer and controls the three experiments.
SSPP got its start in 2011 after philanthropist
'For many years, I've dreamed about how space-based solar power could solve some of humanity's most urgent challenges,' Bren says. 'Today, I'm thrilled to be supporting
The rocket will take approximately 10 minutes to reach its desired altitude. The
Some elements of the test will be conducted quickly. 'We plan to command the deployment of DOLCE within days of getting access to SSPD from
Other elements will require more time. The collection of photovoltaics will need up to six months of testing to give new insights into what types of photovoltaic technology will be best for this application. MAPLE involves a series of experiments, from an initial function verification to an evaluation of the performance of the system under different environments over time. Meanwhile, two cameras on deployable booms mounted on DOLCE and additional cameras on the electronics box will monitor the experiment's progress, and stream a feed back down to Earth. The SSPP team hopes that they will have a full assessment of the SSPD's performance within a few months of the launch.
Numerous challenges remain: nothing about conducting an experiment in space-from the launch to the deployment of the spacecraft to the operation of the SSPD-is guaranteed. But regardless of what happens, the sheer ability to create a space-worthy prototype represents a significant achievement by the SSPP team.
SSPP Team
(L to R)
Credit:
'No matter what happens, this prototype is a major step forward,' says Ali Hajimiri,
Although solar cells have existed on Earth since the late 1800s and currently generate about 4 percent of the world's electricity (in addition to powering the
'DOLCE demonstrates a new architecture for solar-powered spacecraft and phased antenna arrays. It exploits the latest generation of ultrathin composite materials to achieve unprecedented packaging efficiency and flexibility. With the further advances that we have already started to work on, we anticipate applications to a variety of future space missions,' Pellegrino says.
'The entire flexible MAPLE array, as well as its core wireless power transfer electronic chips and transmitting elements, have been designed from scratch. This wasn't made from items you can buy because they didn't even exist. This fundamental rethinking of the system from the ground up is essential to realize scalable solutions for SSPP,' Hajimiri says.
The entire set of three prototypes within the SSPD was envisioned, designed, built, and tested by a team of about 35 individuals. 'This was accomplished with a smaller team and significantly fewer resources than what would be available in an industrial, rather than academic, setting. The highly talented team of individuals on our team has made it possible to achieve this,' says Hajimiri.
Those individuals, however-a collection of graduate students, postdocs, and research scientists-now represent the cutting edge in the burgeoning space solar power field. 'We're creating the next generation of space engineers,' says SSPP researcher
Success or failure from the three testbeds will be measured in a variety of ways. The most important test for DOLCE is that the structure completely deploys from its folded-up configuration into its open configuration. For ALBA, a successful test will provide an assessment of which photovoltaic cells operate with maximum efficiency and resiliency. MAPLE's goal is to demonstrate selective free-space power transmission to different specific targets on demand.
'Many times, we asked colleagues at JPL and in the
SSPP aims to ultimately produce a global supply of affordable, renewable, clean energy. More about SSPP can be found on the program's website.
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