The Online Journal of Space Communication, a project of the Society for Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) which is hosted online by Ohio University, has partnered with the National Space Society in the publishing of a special issue on Space Solar Power.
In the 21st century, the need for alternatives to the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity has become so great that space is now a real option. The Journal has asked prominent scientists, engineers, business people and others to answer the following question: What has changed in the last 30 years that now makes it possible (perhaps a mandate) to seriously entertain the idea of a major new satellite business: the gathering/concentrating of sunlight in space and beaming it to earth to be used as an alternative source of electrical energy?
The table of contents of this special issue includes links to video and audio material as well as the following articles:
Harnessing the Sun: Embarking on Humanity’s Next Giant Leap, by Dr. Feng Hsu
Global Warming in Perspective: Understanding Climate Change in a World of Contradictory Information, by John K. Strickland, Jr.
Energy Costs Eliminated By Satellite System, by Joleroy Gauger
Sustaining India’s Economic Growth, by Raghavan Gopalaswami
Space Solar vs Base Load Ground Solar and Wind Power, by John K. Strickland, Jr.
Costs, Organization, and Roadmap for SSP, by Peter J. Schubert
Why Has SPS R&D Received So Little Funding? by Karen Cramer Shea
SUNSATS: The Next Generation Of COMSATS, by Don Flournoy
Disruptive Technology: A Space-Based Solar Power Industry Forecast, by Kristin Medin
Low Cost Access to Space is Key to Solar Power Satellite Deployment, by Ralph H. Nansen
Deploying Sunsats, by Philip K. Chapman
Solar Power Satellite Development: Advances in Modularity and Mechanical Systems, by W. Keith Belvin, John T. Dorsey, and Judith J. Watson
Server Sky – Data Centers in Orbit, by Keith Lofstrom
The Sunsat Act – Transforming our Energy, Economy and Environment, by Darel Preble
Legal Issues for Space Based Solar Power, by Mark I. Wallach
Vision for Producing Fresh Water Using Space Power, by W. Kent Tobiska
Space Solar Power Via Prizes, by Al Globus
Space Solar Power, Lunar Mining and the Environment, by Al Globus