Wireless Power

Transmission and the Effect

of its Development on
Planetary Exploration
Nicola Soper
International Space University SSP05
Mars Society Conference 5th August
2005

Introduction

History
Technology
Limitations
Benefits and General Applications
Near term Affects for Mars
Exploration
Long term affects for Mars
Exploration
Conclusions
06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

History of WPT

Brief History

Nikola Telsa Experimented in 1899

William Brown

Established microwave to electricity conversion

Invention of the Solar Panel

Imagined a global wireless power distribution

system

First NASA solar powered satellite 1958

Oil Crisis

NASA program

06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Technology

Solar Harnessing

Dynamic Power Generation via turbomachinery

Photovoltaic Cells

Beam Technology

Microwave (Radio frequency)

Laser (Infrared Frequency

Alternative = Mirrors to focus direct sunlight

06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Limitations

Cost
Atmospheric and Weather Effects
Safety
Technical Maturity
Legal

Article IV of Outer Space Treaty 1967???, is it a

weapon of Mass Destruction?
ABM Treaty
Article II of Outer Space Treaty Non-Appropriation of
space (protection)
ENMOD convention

06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Benefits and Applications

In Orbit

Greater Intensity of Sunlight in Space

Independence on Temporal Cycle - 99% time in
Sunlight in GEO
Not subject to dimming over day period
Not subject to weather affects

06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Benefits and Applications

Greater Power per

unit area
Light weight
deployable structures
Alternative to Solar
Arrays and Nuclear
Power

06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Some Applications

Global Energy Demand

Beamed Energy Transportation

Direction Propellant heating

Electric Power

Lunar Base, ISS, Satellite Constellation

Commercial Applications

50 x (5km squared panels) illuminated 99% time

Tourism, Hotels etc.

Planetary Exploration and Colonisation

Planetary Protection
06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Planetary Exploration
- Near Term

Mission to
Meridium Planum

Remote Locations
Mass Advantages
24hr Power

06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Planetary Exploration
- Long Term

Colonisation
Exploration, Human and Robotic
Multi Settlements
Satellite Networks e.g. Communications,
Remote Sensing, GPS etc.
Planetary Protection
Planetary Environmental
Control
06/08/2005

Nicola Soper
Mars Society Conference

Thank you
Any Questions?
Nicola Soper
International Space University SSP05
Mars Society Conference 5th August
2005