SpaceElevatorPower: Difference between revisions

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|width="100pt"| Value
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|width="100pt"| Units
|width="100pt"| Details
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|Power input || 20 - 150 || MW
|Power input || 20 - 150 MW || Can be from any conventional source.  Ocean going platforms can have this amount of power available from diesel engines.
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|Power in laser beam || 2 - 15 || MW
|Power in laser beam || 2 - 15 MW || This power does not need to be in a single beam but can come from multiple beams interlaced in time (pulsed beams)
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|Primary Beam diameter || 10-30 || meters
|Primary Optics || || Segmented adaptive optics mirror similar to those in major astronomical observatories
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|Wavelength || TBD || nm
|Primary Beam diameter || 10-30 meters || This size is determined by the focusing required and to reduce the intensity to a relatively safe level.
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|Tracking accuracy || TBD || mrad
|Wavelength || TBD nm || To be matched to the type of cells and lasers available.
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|Power source || Solid-state disk laser ||  
|Tracking accuracy || TBD mrad || Determined by laser beam and receiver sizes.
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|Power source || Solid-state disk laser || Stacked diodes are also coming on line.
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== Status ==  
== Status ==  
Boeing has demonstrated operation of a 25kW laser of teh kind we need and claim they can build MW lasers
Boeing has demonstrated operation of a 25kW laser of the kind we need and claim they can build MW lasers
Beaming 9+kW lasers over short distances are being demonstrated at the Spaceward Space Elevator Games
Beaming 9+kW lasers over short distances are to be demonstrated at the Spaceward Space Elevator Games
Adaptive optics have demonstrated long distance capabilities
Adaptive optics have been demonstrated with long distance capabilities
 
Include images and videos from the SE Games
Include images and videos from the SE Games
Include design write-ups
Include design write-ups
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Delivering power over the distance of the elevator is a challenge but quickly being addressed by current technology.  
Delivering power over the distance of the elevator is a challenge but quickly being addressed by current technology.  


== Work Needed ==  
== Major Design Challenges==
 
*[[ClimberTracking| Climber Tracking on the Ribbon]]
*[[ClimberSystem| Overall Climber System Engineering]]
 
== Additional Work Needed ==  


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Revision as of 07:02, 10 July 2008

Power Beaming System

Power is needed for everything and effective delivery over 10's of thousands of kilometers is not easy. Various methods were examined and laser power beaming was selected for the baseline. This is a mature yet still rapidly evolving technology.

Value Details
Power input 20 - 150 MW Can be from any conventional source. Ocean going platforms can have this amount of power available from diesel engines.
Power in laser beam 2 - 15 MW This power does not need to be in a single beam but can come from multiple beams interlaced in time (pulsed beams)
Primary Optics Segmented adaptive optics mirror similar to those in major astronomical observatories
Primary Beam diameter 10-30 meters This size is determined by the focusing required and to reduce the intensity to a relatively safe level.
Wavelength TBD nm To be matched to the type of cells and lasers available.
Tracking accuracy TBD mrad Determined by laser beam and receiver sizes.
Power source Solid-state disk laser Stacked diodes are also coming on line.

Status

Boeing has demonstrated operation of a 25kW laser of the kind we need and claim they can build MW lasers Beaming 9+kW lasers over short distances are to be demonstrated at the Spaceward Space Elevator Games Adaptive optics have been demonstrated with long distance capabilities

Include images and videos from the SE Games Include design write-ups

Delivering power over the distance of the elevator is a challenge but quickly being addressed by current technology.

Major Design Challenges

Additional Work Needed

Item Notes
Categorize the available laser systems Select for overall capital and operational cost, efficiency of recievers, lifetime, weather considerations, platform stability requirements,...
Detail optics system Size, performance, cost, ... considerations.
Safety issues with high power laser Outline the requirements for safe operations

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