Space Solar Power Enabled by Dual Space Access Architecture - 2021

Astrogeology, Asteroids, Robots, Space Flight & Extraterrestrial Matters / Lunar Activities

Fitzgerald and Swan reported in mid-2021 that the concept that Space Elevators enable space solar power (SSP) architecture. An SSP constellation will significantly impact the climate change equation by slowing the increase in greenhouse gases across the globe. The authors proposed that there is a dramatic need for permanent infrastructures that can move massive amounts of tonnage to Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) in a routine, daily, safe, and an Earth-friendly manner. It lays out the concept of a Dual Space Access Architecture where rockets and Space Elevators are both compatible and complementary.

An SSP constellation is needed to significantly impact the climate-change equation. Slowing the increase in greenhouse gases across the globe is a priority for the next several decades. The question is how? Dr. Mankins and several others have initiated programs to deploy SSP prototypes. This would grow into a massive effort around the globe to eliminate hundreds of coal plants by providing up to 12% of the global need for electricity by 2060. Reference 1 This amazing and ambitious program can significantly improve the human condition.

We describe how rockets will support the initial programs by launching prototypes—and even the first production satellites to Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO)—to prove out the concept and ‘‘jump start’’ this incredible program. The authors also proposed a dramatic need for permanent infrastructures that can move massive amounts of tonnage to GEO in a routine, daily, safe, and an Earth friendly manner. Moving 5,000,000 tonnes of satellites (estimated for SSP architecture by Dr. Mankins in October 2019) is a herculean task.

The authors are not experts on SSP, nor future rockets; but they are experienced in large space programs. They discuss a Dual Space Access Architecture after making the following statements to begin the discussions:

• SSP satellites are required and there are many aggressive global efforts, commercial and governmental, to prove
  the concept to be viable.1
  
  
• Future rockets will be bigger, reusable, and less expensive with the ability to launch hundreds of times.
  
  
• However, the rocket equation still dominates the amount of moveable tonnage. Future rockets cannot exceed 4% to Low Earth Orbit3 — or 2% of launch pad mass to 42,000 km circular orbit. Therefore, launch configurations mass would have to total 250 million tonnes to achieve this SSP mission alone.