Congratulation to all participants and specially to those of selected ideas. All of the selected ideas were invited to submit a full proposal.
The list of selected ideas is:
- Disruptive PV power array technology to enable economic viability of SPS
- Development of Millimetre Waves Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) System for Lunar Rover Explorations
- Space Demonstration using Small Satellite Constellations for a Practical Solar Power Satellite
- Solar Array to High Voltage Power Bus: Power Conversion Techniques
- GE⊕-LPS Greater Earth Lunar Power Station
- Tiled Energy Focus with Solar Concentrators
- CORES - COllaborative Recycling of End-of-life Sps
- SPS Station Keeping Using Solar Radiation Pressure for Propulsion
- Robust and adaptive planning under deep uncertainties for space-based solar power
- In-orbit construction of km-scale Space-Based Solar Power satellites using robotic manipulation through androgynous mating systems
- An End of Life Strategy for Solar Power Satellites
- The interaction of structural dynamics with the orbital mechanics of Solar Power Satellite
- Bypassing of atmospheric attenuation for SPS with airborne receiver
- Achieving high power for energy transmission though phased array of laser beams
- Laser-irradiation annealing of radiation-induced degradation of multijunction solar cells for space-based power plants
- In-Space Manufacturing of large structures by direct extrusion of UV-curing polymer
Outcome and Results:
With this campaign ESA sought ideas on novel system concepts and technologies to increase the feasibility of space-based solar power and support the development of clean energy for use on Earth, on the Moon or on other planets. The campaign was timely in the context of strong public awareness and ambitious initiatives to address climate change, by seeking new technological solutions for clean energy generation. The expected developments also address future energy needs, in the current plans for return to the lunar surface, to prepare sustainable lunar and Martian exploration activities.
The campaign generated a strong response from diverse actors including LSIs, start-ups and academia, showing the attractiveness of the topic. 85 ideas led to 13 activities (three co-sponsored research activities, six studies and four early technology development activities).
Activities cover novel approaches to wireless power transmission concepts, PV technology, end-of-life management, in-space manufacturing and assembly, AOCS and power conversion technologies. Preliminary results were introduced during an online workshop on ‘Space-based Solar Power for Net Zero’ held in December 2021, and also informed the set-up of the SOLARIS technology development work plan for Element 1 of GSTP.
These activities have also been informative for the formulation of the proposed Solaris programme as part of GSTP. In the frame of Solaris, they are reported on the dedicated pages linked here.
Resources
• Solar Power Satellites and WPT topical cluster on activities.esa.int
• Campaign launch article on esa.int
• Article on selected ideas on esa.int