SUSTAINABILITY ON-ORBIT: SPACE SOLAR POWER AND CLOUD COMPUTING CONSTELLATION TWO EXAMPLES OF INTERNATIONAL OFFSET PROJECTS

摘要

Space-based solar power (SBSP) and Cloud Computing On-Orbit (CCO) are two examples of international offset projects underway at GEI applicable to sustainability. Others include UAV/satellite forest fire monitoring, international students/post-doc research, sustainable green construction, point-to-point sub-orbital flight, ocean monitoring, autonomous SoC development, and bio-fuels and other biotech projects. Offset projects can take advantage of resources made available during large international procurements. SBSP has been talked about many times since Peter Glaser's invention of the concept over 40 years ago, however there still has not been a single SBSP watt transmitted down from orbit. Students at San Jose State University have been researching the feasibility of a SBSP demonstration, using either the International Space Station or a small satellite in LEO. The research for the SBSP demonstration has also helped to develop the concept of on-orbit cloud computing, and both concepts can be utilized for lunar applications. The SBSP demonstration is important because the necessary efficiencies and losses have not yet been clearly established and is being developed to beam 200 watts of power to Earth's surface, estimating 25% efficiency due to atmospheric losses and laser conversion losses. All technology needed for the demonstration exists. The cost, schedule and other programmatic elements of this demonstration will be provided. International offset can be a source of funding for this demonstration. SBSP and on-orbit cloud computing are both important concepts involving sustainable energy, thereby contributing to world peace, because they both make use of the abundant, renewable energy source of the Sun.