Making the first steps towards solar power from space- Microgravity experiments testing the deployment of large antennas

Summerer, L., Purcell, O., Vasile, M., Tibert, G. and Kaya, N. (2009) Making the first steps towards solar power from space- Microgravity experiments testing the deployment of large antennas. In: 60th International Astronautical Congress 2009, IAC 2009. International Astronautical Federation, IAF: Paris, pp. 6133-6140. ISBN 9781615679089

Abstract

Concepts for solar power from space have received renewed attention over the past year. High costs for fossil fuel during most of 2007 and 2008 have contributed to increasing the interest not only in traditional renewable energy sources but also in options usually considered as rather "exotic". Solar power from space is one of these. Given the potential size of such an endeavour, it is particularly important to demonstrate its feasibility and convince energy sector representatives and critics via concrete demonstrator projects targeting key technologies. The construction of a light-weight, very large structure as needed for transmitting antennas and the demonstration of wireless power transmission over very large distances are two of these key technologies. The present paper presents two experiments Furoshiki-2 and Suaineadh addressing these key technologies.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Additional Information: 60th International Astronautical Congress 2009, IAC 2009, October 12, 2009 - October 16, 2009, Daejeon, Korea, Republic of
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Vasile, Dr Massimiliano
• Authors: Summerer, L., Purcell, O., Vasile, M., Tibert, G., and Kaya, N.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Publisher: International Astronautical Federation, IAF
• ISBN: 9781615679089