So new its scarcely noticed, So old its almost forgotten

Introduction
This is a new concept for space solar power It combines the very new and the very old
Professor David C. Hyland, Sc.D. Director, Space Science and Space Engineering Research Texas A&M University College Station, Texas, USA

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dhiland@neo.tamu.edu

The New
The next slide shows the new technology. Solar collectors and microwave transmitters can be printed on a thin fabric. The collectors and transmitters are combined in modules called collectennasTM.

Printed Solar Collectors

The New

Printed Patch Antennae

Solar-Microwave FabricTM

Transm itter
Solar cell
Power connectors

Solar cell Conductive coating (ground)

Substrate layer

The Old
The next slide shows the Echo satellite technology. The satellite is launched in a small container, then inflated to form a large, hollow sphere.

The Old

Fabrication of the Power StarTM

Solar-Microwave FabricTM is produced in oval strips The strips are joined to make the sphere

Meridonial Sectors

Spherical Balloon

Deployment
The Power Star is folded in a small container that is launched in one launch vehicle. The container opens and the balloon is inflated

Small final angular velocity

Packaging and Deployment

The Basic Module

The sphere is covered with collectennaTM modules arranged in a randomized pattern
This avoids grating lobes

Ground beacons give the desired power distribution on the ground Each collectennaTM module senses the ground beacon radiation, amplifies it, and transmits it in reverse time.
This gives the best fit to the desired power distribution Multiple beams can be formed and shaped

In each collectennaTM: ! Local processor records " beacon radiation waveform ! Amplifies waveform and emits it " back in reverse time. ! Power optimally matches desired " power distribution on the ground.
Transmitter
Solar cell Conductive coating (ground) Solar cell

Substrate layer

ave Microw Power

Rectenna Beacons
Random tiling prevents grating lobes

Beacon Radiation

Printed microwave transmitter elements

No moving parts!

Printed solar array elements

Fundamental Power Shaping Concept

The next two charts illustrate the power shaping concept as first devised for acoustics

The very same time-reversal principle has been applied to accoustics. See Scientific American, November 1999.

The Acoustic Time-Reversal Mirror

Illustration of Power Shaping

The collectennaTM operations are simultaneous. But we illustrate one step at a time. The next chart shows a simulation of a flat phased array receiving radiation from two beacons on the ground.

Recording the beacon signals, then amplifying them and playing them back in reverse time occur concurrently. To simplify the explanation, we illustrate these steps separately. First, consider the beacon propagation
On this plane we have two point sources representing the beacons

When the beacon radiation reaches the line segment representing the phased array, each point on the line records the waveform that it sees.

Each pixel on this line segment is a separate recorder

Illustration of Power Shaping (Continued)

The next chart shows the transmission step Two spots of concentrated power, centered on the beacon locations are created. If the phased array were infinitely large, the two point sources would be matched exactly

Now turn off the beacon and let each pixel on the line segment re-transmit the wave-form it recorded - but in reverse time

Note the converging wave fronts

The amplitude on the ground plane has two concentrations centered on the beacons. If the transmitting array were infinite in extent, these would be point concentrations.

Each pixel on this line segment transmits the recorded signal in reverse time

A Better Shape
The next chart shows that a spherical phased array would work as well. A sphere gives flexibility collect power from any direction, transmit power in any direction. No moving parts needed.

Nor must the phased array be flat!

Dynamic Stability of Power StarTM

The next chart shows that surface errors or damage can be compensated solely by electronic means. There is no control/structure interaction The system is inherently stable

Error Compensation is purely electronic. " There is no control/structure Interaction

Phased Array Gain Disturbances
Undistorted radiation pattern

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System Dynamics Array element deformation/ vibration Sensor measurements of array element position errors Electronic phase adjustment

Actuator forces and torques

Actuator dynamics
Actuator commands

Dynamic feedback control

The Overall Concept

The next chart shows a sketch of the overall concept We also list the important features

Summary Sketch of the Concept

~ 1 km

Random Tessellation to prevent grating lobes

Unique features:

!Its structure is extremely simple and can be fit into many launch vehicle payload envelopes." !It can gather solar power from any angle and beam power in any direction(s) without slewing or structural deformation." !It has no moving parts."
Printed solar array elements
meridonial sheets with power coupling

Printed microwave transmitter elements

!It can optimally approximate any desired field distribution on the ground." !It requires no in-space assembly or construction

Transmitter ! ~ 10cm
Solar cell
Power connectors

Solar cell

!
w

Conductive coating (ground)

Substrate layer

!It has no control/structure feedback so the system is guaranteed dynamically stable." !The operation of the phased array is adaptive so that even if severely damaged, the system can

Conclusion
Power StarTM is launched as a small seed, then grows to a mighty sphere. Although large, it uses the independent action of each small part. It uses the very new to give new life to an old but beautiful satellite design.
!

(The Latin means: Nature is greatest in the smallest things)

Natura in Minima Maxima

! !

Professor David C. Hyland

David C. Hyland, Sc.D. is Director, Space Science and Space Engineering Research, Texas A&M University. Dave joined Texas A&M University on September 1, 2003 as Associate Vice Chancellor of Engineering, Associate Dean of the Dwight Look College of Engineering, holder of the Wisenbaker Chair of Engineering, Professor of Aerospace Engineering in the College of Engineering and Professor of Physics in the College of Science. Most recently, he assumed the position of Director of Space Science and Space Engineering Research for Texas A&M. His current research interests include adaptive control for aerospace vehicle applications. Prior to his joining Texas A&M University, Dave served as Professor with tenure and Chairman of the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Michigan. Dave earned his B.S., M.S., and Sc.D. degrees, in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
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