The Case for Space Solar Power

by John Mankins

This book makes the Case for Space Solar Power; recounting the history of this fascinating concept and summarizing the many different ways in which it might be accomplished. It describes in detail a highly promising concept – SPS-ALPHA (Solar Power Satellite by means of Arbitrarily Large Phased Array) – and presents a business case comprising applications in space and markets on Earth. The book explains how it is possible to begin now with technologies that are already at hand, while developing the more advanced technologies that will be needed to deliver power economically to markets on Earth. The Case for Space Solar Power concludes by laying out a path forward that is both doable and within a dozen years or less, the first multi-megawatt pilot plant could be in operation. Getting started could cost less than $10 million over the first 2 years, less than $100 million over the next half dozen years. Given that Space Solar Power would transform our future in space, and might provide a new source of virtually limitless and sustainable energy to markets across the world, the book poses the why wouldn't we pursue Space Solar Power?

Genres: Engineering, Science

763 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2014

Reviews

[Bruce McNair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, let me say, I support most space initiatives and I am encouraged by the developments that are now taking place, especially in the commercial space arena. The concept of Space Power Satellites (SPS) have been around for some time, and this book is an excellent source of the history and current state (as at publication) of the developments in this and related areas. The author obviously knows his subject well and the development of the case is well reasoned. However, the impediment to progress is always the unknown, i.e. how government(s) will receive the program and set budgets, whether any of the R&D goals are taken up and how rapidly they are achieved, the lack of progress in key technology areas such as affordable reusable launch vehicles and in-space transportation, and new technologies not now imagined that could leap-frog the need for SPS. The author presents a roadmap that is sufficiently long and cognisant of the difficulties that suggests that an SPS could be in GEO and providing power on the Earth within a dozen years. Given the propensity for projects, especially large ones, to overshoot their schedules and budgets, I suspect this may be optimistic. But for the sake of all, humanity in general as well as space advocates, let us hope that the goals are ultimately achieved.

[Adam Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive update on the whole concept.