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Earth to space dc to dc power transmission system utilizing a microwave beam as source of energy for electric propelled interorbital vehiclesThe paper contributes to the credibility of an electric propelled interorbital transportation system by introducing a new low-mass source of continuous dc power for electric propulsion and illustrating how the source can be economically tied to an electric utility on earth by an electronically steered microwave beam. The new thin-film rectenna, which functions as the receiving end of an earth-to-space microwave power transmission system is described. It is easily fabricated, is over 80 percent efficient, has a specific mass of no more than 2 kilograms per kilowatt of continuous dc power output, and is well adapted for deployment in space. The paper then describes a complete system consisting of the interorbital vehicle and the microwave power transmission system that supplies it with power. A design scenario is used to obtain performance data from the system in terms of vehicle transfer times, payload fractions, and costs. Electric energy costs are found to be less than $1000 per kilogram of payload delivered to geosynchronous orbit from low-earth orbit.
Document ID
19860026260
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Brown, W. C.
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1985
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 85-2045
Accession Number
86A10998
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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