Early commercial demonstration of space solar power using ultra-lightweight arrays

Reed, Kevin A.; Willenberg, H.J.

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2009.03.055

Cited by 23 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Recent technology pv exhibit lower efficiencies, but very much higher power-to-mass ratios and, hence, their overall performance is considerably higher. As a first attempt, an efficiency of 21 per cent (Bailie et al, 2014) and a power-tomass ratio of 1,500 W/kg (including structure) (Reed and Willenberg, 2007) are assumed. These figures may represent cutting edge technology at present, but in view of the 30 year lifespan of an SBSP project, and recent advances in thin-film pv arrays leading to power-to-mass ratios of thousand W/kg, they could be regarded quite appropriate or, even, low.…”

Section: A Measure Of the Potential Of The Leoarte Aerospaceplanementioning

confidence: 99%

Earth-to-space and high-speed “air” transportation: an aerospaceplane design

Kehayas

2019

AEAT

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to attempt an aerospaceplane design with the objective of Low-Earth-Orbit-and-Return-to-Earth (LEOARTE) under the constraints of safety, low cost, reliability, low maintenance, aircraft-like operation and environmental compatibility. Along the same lines, a “sister” point-to-point flight on Earth Suborbital Aerospaceplane is proposed. Design/methodology/approach The LEOARTE aerospaceplane is based on a simple design, proven low risk technology, a small payload, an aerodynamic solution to re-entry heating, the high-speed phase of the outgoing flight taking place outside the atmosphere, a propulsion system comprising turbojet and rocket engines, an Air Collection and Enrichment System (ACES) and an appropriate mission profile. Findings It was found that a LEOARTE aerospaceplane design subject to the specified constraints with a cost as low as 950 United States Dollars (US$) per kilogram into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) might be feasible. As indicated by a case study, a LEOARTE aerospaceplane could lead, among other activities in space, to economically viable Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP). Its “sister” Suborbital aerospaceplane design could provide high-speed, point-to-point flights on the Earth. Practical implications The proposed LEOARTE aerospaceplane design renders space exploitation affordable and is much safer than ever before. Originality/value This paper provides an alternative approach to aerospaceplane design as a result of a new aerodynamically oriented Thermal Protection System (TPS) and a, perhaps, improved ACES. This approach might initiate widespread exploitation of space and offer a solution to the high-speed “air” transportation issue.

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Section: A Measure Of the Potential Of The Leoarte Aerospaceplanementioning

confidence: 99%

Earth-to-space and high-speed “air” transportation: an aerospaceplane design

Kehayas

2019

AEAT

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“…Nevertheless, attractive alternative techniques are also being considered for MAAT include artificial photosynthesis, where H 2 is produced directly, at an efficiency of $50%, compared to the typical combined 6% efficiency of a PVA and electrolyser. 14 A summary of relative merits of various technologies is given in Table 3. Of importance to this application is that long-term operation at stratospheric altitudes can reduce a-si:H PV output between beginning of life and end of life (EOL) due to radiation and the Staebler-Wronski effect.…”

Section: Energy Harvesting By Solar Meansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy harvesting and power network architectures for the multibody advanced airship for transport high altitude cruiser–feeder airship concept

Smith

Bingham

Stewart

et al. 2013

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G:

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This article presents results of preliminary investigations in the development of a new class of airship. Specific focus is given to photo-electric harvesting as a primary energy source, power architectures and energy audits for life support, propulsion and ancillary loads to support the continuous daily operation of the primary airship (cruiser) at stratospheric altitudes (∼15 km). The results are being used to drive the requirements of the FP7 multibody advanced airship for transport programme, which is to globally transport both passengers and freight using a ‘feeder–cruiser’ concept. It is shown that there is a potential trade off to traditional cost and size limits and, although potentially very complex, a first-order approximation is used to demonstrate sensitivities to the economics of the lifting gas. This presented concept is substantially different to those of conventional aircraft due to the airship size and the inherent requirement to harvest and store sufficient energy during ‘daylight’ operation to guarantee safe operation during ‘dark hours’. This is particularly apparent when the sizing of the proposed electrolyser is considered, as its size and mass increases nonlinearly with decreasing daylight duty. The study also considers the integration of photovoltaics with various electrical architectures, in safety critical environments. A mass audit is also included that shows that if the electrolyser was omitted in such systems, the overall impact will be small compared to structural and propulsion masses. It should be noted that although the technology bias is application specific, the underlying principles are much widely applicable to other energy harvesting and power management sectors.

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“…Print-assisted photovoltaic panel assembly (PAPPA) [1] is an innovative approach towards the advanced manufacturing of flexible solar panels; particularly those being manufactured for spacecraft applications. The use of thin-film based solar arrays for space applications has long been recognized as an advantageous power generation option [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Thinner materials yield a mass savings, equating to lighter launch loads, larger arrays, and/or more payload allocation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial steps towards a robotic solution for the manufacturing and assembly of thin-film space solar arrays

Carr,

Thompson,

Bumbalough

2023

Flex. Print. Electron.

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Print-Assisted Photovoltaic Panel Assembly, a novel printed electronic process presented herein, uses additive manufacturing to print flexible paneling components around commercial off-the-shelf thin-film solar cells. This builds a fully functional, flexible solar panel, suitable for space environments, via an automated process. Currently, thin-film space solar panels are manufactured via the compilation of piece parts by hand. In contrast, Print-Assisted Photovoltaic Panel Assembly automates the labor-intensive paneling process. The advantages are twofold: (i) Near-Term: solar panel cost reduction alongside the enablement of very large-scale production and (ii) Long-Term: builds towards a capability for in-space solar panel manufacturing. Herein, details of the process, proof-of-concept functional testing, and implications for further development and application are presented.

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Early commercial demonstration of space solar power using ultra-lightweight arrays

Cited by 23 publications

References 5 publications

Earth-to-space and high-speed “air” transportation: an aerospaceplane design

Earth-to-space and high-speed “air” transportation: an aerospaceplane design

Energy harvesting and power network architectures for the multibody advanced airship for transport high altitude cruiser–feeder airship concept

Initial steps towards a robotic solution for the manufacturing and assembly of thin-film space solar arrays

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