Locating Large Solar Power Satellites in the Geosynchronous Laplace Plane

Designs for geostationary solar power satellites are extremely large in scale, more than an order of magnitude larger than the International Space Station. A detailed study of solar power satellites’ orbit dynamics is performed, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the effect of perturbations on orbits of large solar power satellite structures over a time frame commensurate with proposed solar power satellites’ lifetimes (30–40 years). Analytical equations derived by the process of averaging of the solar power satellites’ equations of motion are used to determine the long-term orbital behavior. Previous solar power satellite studies have simply assumed geostationary Earth orbit, then designed control systems for maintaining it thus. It is found that an alternative solar power satellite orbital location, known as the geosynchronous Laplace plane, is superior to geostationary in many aspects. A solar power satellite in the geosynchronous Laplace plane requires virtually no fuel to maintain its orbit, ...

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