Feasibility of a satellite solar power station /SSPS/

Service life, energy conversion efficiencies, costs and revenues, pointing problems, energy conversion options, and earth-side thermal pollution are discussed in relation to the satellite solar power station concept (SSPS) beaming solar energy converted to microwaves to subsatellite points on earth. Solar energy available in space at geostationary orbit (22000 mi) is 4 to 15 times that available anywhere on earth, heat dissipation is no problem for unenclosed microwave devices in space, and earth-side thermal pollution problems are minimal compared to conventional power plants. Long life in orbit and high conversion efficiencies attained or projected, requirements for lifting large structure parts into orbit, dimensions of projected large structures, sunward pointing of the solar cell panels and earthward pointing of the microwave antenna, and earth-side problems (land use, microwave exposure, energy payback, radio interference, ionosphere interactions) are discussed.