Space-Based Solar Power

This report, prepared for NASA, estimates the costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of two proposed space-based solar power (SBSP) systems, comparing them to terrestrial renewable energy sources. The study considers two designs: the Innovative Heliostat Swarm (RD1) and the Mature Planar Array (RD2), both operating in geostationary orbit (GEO) and delivering 2 gigawatts of power to Earth. The study finds that launch and manufacturing costs are the primary drivers for both systems, making them significantly more expensive than terrestrial alternatives. The baseline assessment suggests that SBSP might have lifecycle costs per unit of electricity that are 12-80 times higher than terrestrial options. However, the study also highlights potential cost reductions through technological advancements and operational efficiencies. These include reduced launch costs, improved solar cell efficiency, efficient manufacturing at scale, extended hardware lifetimes, and the use of electric propulsion for orbital transfer.