Review of Modern Solar Power Satellite and Space Rectenna Systems

Abstract

This paper presents the review and analysis of modern space solar power satellite system and space rectenna. There is a challenge to collect and transmit large amount of energy from space to earth using microwave power transmission technology without the interference with communication satellites such as military operations systems and aircraft radar systems. This study focuses on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) location of the space satellite for maximum efficiency. Microwaves of 5.8 GHz frequency with efficiency of 85% will be used to transmit the electric power from the space satellite to the rectenna. Space-based solar power system is different from the current solar power collection methods. The space solar power method uses a satellite placed on an orbit to collect the solar energy instead of on earth's surface. Research found space-based solar power to be uneconomical but new developments have paved ways for space solar power exploitation. The space-based section of the system consists of a constellation of solar energy collecting satellites called SunSats that collect solar power and transmit it through a suitable frequency to earth. The ground station of the system consists of large receiving antennas known as rectennas which convert the microwave frequency into DC power. The DC power is then transformed into AC and injected into the electrical grid.