Value chain · CLM-0230
In plain terms
A 2019 US study warns that large solar power satellites could be more at risk as more countries build anti-satellite weapons, and suggests using many small satellites instead of one big one to reduce that risk.
The claim as recorded
A 2019 assessment co-authored with US defence-affiliated researchers judges that a solar power satellite could become more vulnerable as space becomes a more contested domain, since "foreign powers" are reported to be deploying advanced counter-space technologies, and recommends mitigating this specific risk by using constellations of many smaller satellites rather than a few large ones.
Scope and limits
this is a qualitative security judgement, not a quantified threat assessment; it does not name which foreign powers or which counter-space technologies, and does not compare risk against any specific terrestrial power-generation alternative.
What it assumes
the assessment's own cited sources ([93], [94]) are accurate; not independently checked in this session.
Where it comes from
"Though the satellite would not be as susceptible to attack by non-state actors, concerns are growing over space becoming a contested domain, with 'foreign powers deploying advanced counter-space technologies'... Large solar power satellites could carry extra risk. This problem is not unique to space solar, and requires further review. Risks might be mitigated with approaches employing constellations of large numbers of smaller solar power satellites, rather than small numbers of large ones." (SRC-025, PDF page 34, item 14 "Susceptibility to attack")
Basis: qualitative security assessment, no quantified threat model
Related records
- Answers question
- QST-011 not published in this release
- Contradicts
- CLM-0757 In its own report on the February 2022 attack, Viasat says the attacker got in through a...
Cite this
energyaperture.com/c/clm-0230
CLM-0230, Energy Aperture, as of 2019.
Connected records
Other published records linked to this one. A list, not a judgement.
- Also from SRC-025
- CLM-0232Some of the radio frequencies being considered for beaming power down from space are the same frequencies already used by military airfield...CLM-1475 (low confidence)Some writers point out that a power satellite is not tied to one receiver: in principle it could beam to a different site, for example if a...
- Contradicted by
- CLM-0757In its own report on the February 2022 attack, Viasat says the attacker got in through a misconfigured VPN device, reached the network...