Why the AIAA Should Advocate for GEO Space Solar Power

摘要

This century, the United States faces two serious and related threats. The first is the abnormally high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration due to anthropogenic causes. The second is an inadequate domestic fossil fuel supply that will lead to shortages, and likely warfare, later this century. This paper begins by defining these two threats to establish why America now needs to transition, this century, from fossil fuels to sustainable energy. The paper continues by evaluating the domestic options for sustainable energy. Each of the three primary terrestrial options——nuclear, wind, and solar——are quantitatively assessed and found to be impractical solutions at the scale needed to replace fossil fuels. The paper then examines what will be required to use GEO space solar power to replace fossil fuels. The paper concludes with a call for the AIAA to advocate that the United States establish a national GEO space solar power program and explains why the AIAA has a clear ethical obligation to undertake this advocacy.