Space Solar Power An Illustrated Introduction

This book highlights a comprehensive introduction to space solar power, covering the history, latest developments, system composition, and key technologies.

With the backdrop of global climate change and the aim towards carbon neutrality, space solar power offers a sustainable and clean energy option for humanity. This book, filled with colorful graphics, provides an engaging reading experience for readers to easily grasp this exciting form of power generation in space. It covers key technologies such as high-power solar energy generation in space, wireless energy transmission, and the transportation and construction modes of space solar power stations. The author also introduces typical system schemes, highlighting the Multi-Rotary joints SPS as a significant example. Designed for college students majoring in astronomy, aeronautics, energy, and engineering, this book expands their understanding of space exploration and the innovative development of clean energy sources. It also serves as a valuable reference for researchers and engineers involved in space solar power research.

The English translation of this book, originally in Chinese, was facilitated by artificial intelligence. The content was later revised by the author for accuracy.

Background and Development Status of Space Solar Power.- Design Basics of Space Solar Power.- Typical Solar Power Satellites.- High-Power Space Solar Power Generation System.- Wireless Power Transmission System.- Transportation, On-Orbit Construction, and End-of-Life Disposition of SPSs.- Multi-Rotary Joints Solar Power Satellite.

Xinbin Hou is a senior researcher at China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). He received his PhD from Beihang University, China in 2002. He joined CAST and became a thermal control engineer in 2002. He has been engaged in the research and development of solar-power satellites (SPSs) since 2006 and has become a leading researcher of SPSs in China. He proposed the concept of Multi-Rotary joints SPS (MR-SPS) in 2014. The concept won the first prize in the 2015 International SunSat Design Competition. The MR-SPS has been one of the leading concepts of SPSs in the world since then. Dr. Hou also serves as a member of the Permanent Committee on Space Solar Power, the International Academy of Astronautics since 2022, a member and secretariat of the Space Power Committee of the International Astronautical Federation since 2012, and a member and Vice Secretary General of Space Solar Power Committee, Chinese Society of Astronautics since 2021.