Underlying Technology for SBSP has improved radically in last 40 years
Things have changed a lot in 50 years. The first serious study of space based solar power (SBSP) was done in the 1970's. Boeing and Rockwell International submitted proposals for satellites that would orbit geo-synchronously while continuously providing clean, firm, renewable energy to the grid.
In 1979, Boeing proposed a 5km by 20km satellite [1]. The pair of antennas were 1km in diameter each. This satellite would have been larger than Manhattan! It was illustrated in a simple sketch with all of the dimensions tucked on the bottom of page in the middle of the proposal.
Obviously, this was never built. However, in the report by the National Research Council in 1981 that recommended NOT proceeding [2], they concluded that "some type of SPS (Space Power Satellite) would be technically possible if costs were not a consideration." The key concern was research investment required for "low cost space-qualified solar cells, low cost space transportation systems, ... ,(and) space construction techniques". In the 40+ years since this report came out, that research and more happened.
Additionally, the report suggested that "radical advances in technology will be required if SPS (space power satellites) are to become competitive in the next 40 years". Its been more than 40 years. Moore's Law [3] enabled radical advancements that were not even considered back then. Its now possible to assemble space systems without people in orbit. [4] The reliability of solid state electronics enables decades of operation without maintenance. [5][6] Additive manufacturing reduces the required lift mass. And, simulations are accurate enough that remaining uncertainties can be managed.
With Wrights Law [7][8] helping driving cost down, space base solar can not only be break even, but also the lowest cost energy source. By collecting solar in orbit, it is the only clean, firm renewable energy solution. The scale required is now a tiny fraction compared to these early studies. The illustration below show how small a profitable space based solar power satellite can be compared to the original designs. This opens the path to commercialization and clean, abundant, renewable energy.
[1] Space Based Solar Power System Definition Study, Vol 1, Phase 1, Executive Summary, Boeing/NASA, 1979, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19800004884/downloads/19800004884.pdf
[2] "Electric Power From Orbit: A Critique of a Satellite Power System", Committee on Satellite Power Systems, Environmental Studies Board of the National Research Council, National Academies Press, 1981, https://space.nss.org/wp-content/uploads/1981-NRC-Electric-Power-From-Orbit-1-Report.pdf
[3] Moores Law, Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_law
[4] Orbital Composites - https://spacenews.com/orbital-composites-wins-1-7-million-space-force-contract/
[5] https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/10/world/nasa-voyager-probes-power-scn/index.html
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landsat_5#:~:text=Recognized%20by%20Guinness%20World%20Records,original%20three%2Dyear%20design%20life
[7] The Experience Learning Curve, Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience_curve_effects
[8] Wrights Law, Ark Invest - https://ark-invest.com/wrights-law/
1979 NASA/Boeing 10GW Solar Power Satellite & 2023 Virtus Solis MVP Satellite compared to Manhattan
