Model Simulation of a Space Solar Power System using Disaggregated Apertures of Transmission (DAGATs)

Abstract

The earth’s atmosphere blocks most of the sun’s power from reaching the surface, decreasing the energy density for solar power; therefore, a clear alternative is to conduct further research into space solar power (SSP) using satellites and antennas. Larger satellite transmission apertures are vulnerable to suffering catastrophic damage through environmental effects. Thus, a possible solution for SSP is using disaggregated apertures for transmission (DAGATs) which involves having many small satellites in space coordinate together in a volumetric array. These structures would use antennas to transmit the power as a single signal to a surface station, which would provide increased stability and improved cost-effectiveness. This research begins the process of simulating these types of arrays in order to determine their effect on transmission efficiency. A simplified model of a DAGAT system is created, and changes in its elements’ positioning are simulated. These changes are the planar spacings, the relative elevations, and the total removal of elements. Although the simulations are highly simplified compared to what a real-world SSP array would look like, they provide patterns showing a decreased directivity with further spacing, but little change in directivity with changes in elevation or with element removal.