Different technological options are presented for an evolutionary architecture towards spacebased solar power. The space power grid approach integrates the issues of global warming and energy demand with the technologies for space-based solar power. In the first stage, a constellation of satellites in low earth orbit will transact power exchanges between earth-based power plants. In a second stage, solar energy will be collected and directly converted in low earth orbit to microwave or laser beams. In the final stage, low-mass collectors will focus sunlight on the converters in low earth orbit, opening up large-scale power generation from space with an established ground infrastructure. The system has the potential to enhance the commercial viability of solar and wind-based power plants on earth, by opening markets around the world to smoothen fluctuations in supply and demand.
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