Conceptual Design, Analysis and Simulations of an Innovative Space-Based Solar Power System: Advancing towards Kardashev-Scale Type I

The transition towards a sustainable energy system is essential for addressing the challenge of satisfying rising power demand while preserving natural resources. Continued reliance on non-renewable energy sources could result in their complete exhaustion within the next 100-150 years. Consequently, the urgent need to develop a clean, renewable, and safe energy system in the near future has led to the exploration of multiple possibilities, including those beyond Earth. Space-based solar power (SBSP) technology emerges as a promising candidate, relying on satellites that continuously harvest solar energy in space and wirelessly transmit it to ground stations on Earth. The proposed architecture features a vast constellation of satellites designed to contribute to global energy demands. Each satellite is equipped with parabolic mirrors that concentrate solar radiation onto advanced photovoltaic disks, referred to as absorbers. These absorbers, along with microwave generators and antennas, enable the transmission of energy to Earth through electromagnetic waves at 2.45 GHz. On the ground, an array of rectennas receives and converts the transmitted energy into usable electricity. The aim of this thesis is to propose a conceptual design and analysis of an innovative SBSP model, introducing a MATLAB Model that integrates the fundamental aspects of the study into a unified framework. The primary inputs are derived from NASA's 2024 report "Space-Based Solar Power" and the project incorporates the concept of advancing toward Kardashev-Scale Type I. To design the system, ANSYS Speos was first used to model its geometry, to analyze solar radiation reflection and concentration between mirrors and absorbers and to generate spectral maps for evaluating the solar flux distribution on surfaces. These outputs were then imported into ANSYS Thermal to assess temperature profiles under steady-state and transient conditions, ensuring component integrity. Additionally, orbital simulations conducted using STK AGI evaluated the optimal positioning of satellites in geostationary and geosynchronous orbits. The resulting data were subsequently integrated into the MATLAB-Simulink Integrated Model for further processing and validation. Finally, the required number of satellite structures and the dimensions of ground-based rectennas were estimated through a preliminary assessment and a preliminary cost estimate and a safety evaluation were conducted to identify key challenges and technological limitations affecting the implementation of this complex system.