Stepwise Development of SSPS, NASDA's Current Study Status of the IGW class Operational SSPS and its Precursors

Abstract

Japan’s space agency, NASDA (JAXA after October.1, 2003) is conducting study of the solar power satellite for years. NASDA is proposing a roadmap that includes the stepwise approach to realize an 1GW (comparable with one atomic power plant) class operational solar power satellite. The first step is an experimental satellite to demonstrate microwave power transmission. The second step is to demonstrate robotic assembly of large space structure in space. The third step is to build a prototype SSPS in GEO. The final step is to build the 1GW class SSPS in GEO. This paper introduces NASDA’s activities in this area.