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Swarms of CubeSats for kW-scale Space-Based Solar Power (16U4SBSP)

Programme Reference

23-P-M-TEC-02-a

Status

Closed

Country

Switzerland

Start Date

2023

End Date

2024

Programme: Preparation Prime Contractor: Sirin Orbital Systems AG

Subcontractors:
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE • United Kingdom
TU DELFT • The Netherlands

Description

The “16U4SBSP” mission concept is a fundamental technology demonstration step for the realization of kW-/MW-/GW-scale Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) based on flight formation, a distributed or aggregated swarm of small satellites contrary to conventional concepts of monolithic giant SBSP satellites. In this mission, a swarm of 16U CubeSats collaboratively supply wireless power via Radio-Frequency waves to end-users in different locations on the ground, for instance to provide backup power for emergency situations, and also for space-to-space commercial use-cases.

Application domain: Generic Technologies

Technology Domain:
08 - System Design & Verification
09 - Mission Operation and Ground Data Systems
Competence Domain:
08 - Ground Data Systems / Mission Operations
Initial TRL: TRL N/A Target TRL: TRL N/A Achieved TRL: TRL N/A

Public Document:

Executive Summary
PDF

Swarms of CubeSats for kW-scale Space-Based Solar Power (16U4SBSP)