Power Transmission by Laser Beam from Lunar-Synchronous Satellite

Power Transmission by Laser Beam from Lunar-Synchronous Satellite
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2018-07-10
Genre:
ISBN: 9781722493431

The possibility of beaming power from synchronous lunar orbits (the L1 and L2 Lagrange points) to a manned long-range lunar rover is addressed. The rover and two versions of a satellite system (one powered by a nuclear reactor, the other by photovoltaics) are described in terms of their masses, geometries, power needs, missions, and technological capabilities. Laser beam power is generated by a laser diode array in the satellite and converted to 30 kW of electrical power at the rover. Present technological capabilities, with some extrapolation to near future capabilities, are used in the descriptions. The advantages of the two satellite/rover systems over other such systems and over rovers with onboard power are discussed along with the possibility of enabling other missions. Williams, M. D. and Deyoung, R. J. and Schuster, G. L. and Choi, S. H. and Dagle, J. E. and Coomes, E. P. and Antoniak, Z. I. and Bamberger, J. A. and Bates, J. M. and Chiu, M. A. Langley Research Center RTOP 506-41-41-01...