Describe a beamed power solution. ( Digest Number 135)

>
> Why not? Couldn't the satellite be configured to have the solar collector
> point at the Sun while the transmitter/reflector is pointed at the Earth
> rectenna target? I could make a sketch, but I'm no good at ASCII drawing.
>

That would ionvolve two reflectors instead of one.

That would double the weight of the spacecraft.

>
> Heavy is certainly a big problem. But I thought the whole point of
> collecting solar energy from orbit was that you could achieve efficiency
> ratings above 90%. Otherwise, why bother? I don't have the reference on
> hand to quote from, unfortunately. Maybe I misread it.
>

I have been proposing microwave relay, not collecting solar energy.

The SPS is a separate discussion, which exceeds my present bandwidth.

>
> Not quite. I'm trying to figure out how we can maximize the power output
> from these satellites we're putting up into orbit. I'm not saying we

We need to maximize power output per unit weight.

> shouldn't use simple microwave relays. All I'm suggesting is that if we
> put the equipment we're talking about into orbit, how much more work would
> it be to put a solar collector on top of them to add to the power they're
> already redirecting back to the Earth rectenna. If it's a huge cost
> increase with a small power boost, then never mind. But if it's a small

It at least doubles the system weight and cost.