3 ms·
The radiator is much more efficient than the solar panels (for obvious reasons), so that’s not the limiting factor. As to power, Caltech is already at 2-3 poun
by rayiner 3mo ago
The radiator is much more efficient than the solar panels (for obvious reasons), so that’s not the limiting factor.
As to power, Caltech is already at 2-3 pounds per square meter: https://magazine.caltech.edu/post/sspp-space-solar-power-project https://magazine.caltech.edu/post/sspp-space-solar-power-pro...
> Another way to think about it: An SSPP spacecraft with a 60-meter-by-60-meter surface area made using today’s space PV-cell technology would cost $36 million and weigh nearly 9,000 pounds, or almost as much as a Ford F-450 truck. With the ultra-lightweight PV-cell technology Atwater envisions, it would cost just $450,000 and weigh about 300 pounds, or about as much as an IKEA three-seat sofa
That’s megawatt-level solar power under 5 tons using today’s leading edge technology. Starship super heavy can launch 100 tons into LEO.
As to bandwidth, Starlink V3 backhaul capacity is 1 terabit. Microwave radio frequencies have an insane amount of bandwidth.
- selimthegrim 3mo agoI have a lot of respect for Atwater but I'm pretty sure a lot of people at Caltech think this is donor driven research.
- OneDonOne 3mo agoThe Caltech Concept is just that — a concept. No prototype, no tests, no manufacturing, no results. When they achieve this order of magnitude improvement on a prototype scale, that's when we should take them seriously.
- rayiner 3mo agoI'm referring to the description of "today’s space PV-cell technology" (I believe the lightweight panels used to upgrade the ISS in 2021). SSPP has already sent prototypes to space: https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/space-solar-power-project-ends-first-in-space-mission-with-successes-and-lessons https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/space-solar-power-project.... There's a ton of work being done on lightweight solar panels for space. E.g. https://ascentsolar.com/asti-technology-and-unique-advantage-overview https://ascentsolar.com/asti-technology-and-unique-advantage...