Value chain · CLM-1190
In plain terms
The study's reference design uses four satellites about 2,500 km above the Moon, each about the size of a space station (148 by 58 m): a 58 m square microwave antenna between two solar wings. Between them they beam a steady 1 MW to the base at 100 GHz, with batteries on board for when a satellite is in the Moon's shadow.
The claim as recorded
The study's reference design (Case 2, advanced technology) is a constellation of four satellites at 2,459 km altitude beaming at 100 GHz to supply 1 MW of continuous power at the lunar surface. Its Figure 3 shows each satellite as a 58 x 58 m antenna between two 54 x 40 m solar arrays of 355 kW each, 148 x 58 m overall, which the paper puts at the same general size as Space Station Freedom. In Case 2 each satellite carries batteries to transmit while eclipsed, and no surface storage is needed.
Evidence behind this: T3, a NASA Lewis Research Center conference paper (25th IECEC, Reno, August 1990) that calls itself a "zero-th order" feasibility analysis (PDF 3 [1]) and "an initial scoping document": spreadsheet projections, not built hardware.
Scope and limits
A PROJECTED DESIGN. "Advanced" is the paper's projection of technology to about the year 2000 (PDF 4), not flown hardware. The dimensions come from a schematic, and no mass is given per satellite. The two arrays' 710 kW per satellite is not a delivered figure: the 1 MW is delivered at the surface by the constellation.
What it assumes
No assumptions are recorded against this claim.
Where it comes from
PDF 5 [3], render: "Four of these Case 2 satellites beaming power at a frequency of 100 GHz from an altitude of 2459 km provide 1 Mw of continuous power to a user(s) on the surface of the moon. It is of the same general size as SSF." and "The beam power satellite's overall dimensions are 148 x 58 m." Figure 3 labels, render at zoom 4: "Antenna 100 GHz 58 x 58 m"; "2- 54 X 40 m 355 kw each" (solar arrays); "Altitude = 2459 km", "1 Mw User", "Case 2 Advanced", "4 Satellites". PDF 3 [1], Case 2 (read at render): "Energy storage on the surface is therefore not necessary. Batteries are provided on each satellite as the energy source for transmission to the surface when that satellite is in the eclipse."
Basis: number of satellites; altitude in km; frequency in GHz; continuous power delivered in MW; antenna, solar array and overall dimensions in m; array power in kW
Cite this
energyaperture.com/c/clm-1190
CLM-1190, Energy Aperture, as of 1990-08.
Connected records
Other published records linked to this one. A list, not a judgement.
- Also from SRC-393
- CLM-1189A 1990 NASA study of powering a Moon base from orbit put the satellites in circles over the Moon's equator, beaming down to a flat receiver...CLM-1191The study sized its transmitting and receiving antennas with a standard beam formula, assumed about half the transmitted power would be...CLM-1192With 1990 technology the orbiting system came out heavier per kilowatt than solar panels on the ground with enough storage for the lunar...