A brief comparative analysis was made for three concepts of supplying large-scale electrical energy to Earth from space. The concepts were: (1) mining helium-3 on the Moon and returning it to Earth; (2) constructing solar power satellites in geosynchronous orbit from lunar materials (the energy is beamed by microwave to receivers on Earth); and (3) constructing power collection and beaming systems on the Moon itself and transmitting the energy to Earth by microwave. This analysis concerned mainly space transportation and operations, but each of the systems is briefly characterized to provide a basis for space transportation and operations analysis.
Transportation and Operations Aspects of Space Energy Systems
1989
51 pages
Report
No indication
English
Electric Power Transmission , Electric Power Production , Solar Energy , Isotopes , Unmanned Spacecraft , Extraterrestrial resources , Power beaming , Solar power satellites , Helium isotopes , Lunar bases , Lunar surface , Mining , Space commercialization , Cost analysis , Feasibility analysis , Fusion reactors , Lunar soil , Microwave transmission , Nuclear electric power generation , Operations research , Helium 3
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