Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 153 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (227 download)
Book Synopsis Ground-Based High Energy Power Beaming in Support of Spacecraft Power Requirements by :
Download or read book Ground-Based High Energy Power Beaming in Support of Spacecraft Power Requirements written by and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis investigates the feasibility of projecting ground-based laser power to energize a spacecraft electrical bus via the solar panels. The energy is projected through a telescope, using modern optical compensation systems, at controlled wavelengths. Research conducted on high-energy lasers has matured to the point today, that the bulk of the power required by spacecraft on orbit can be projected from the surface of the earth. With battery life being the greatest limitation on spacecraft life span, the ability to provide electrical power from the surface to a satellite in eclipse with degraded batteries could mean multi-billion dollar cost savings by extending the lifetime of current and future satellites.