New space initiatives through large generic structures

Abstract

New possibilities in satellite communications, surveillance, and orbital experimentation provided by the capability to construct and deploy Large Space Structures (LSS) are presented. The advent of the Shuttle will allow deployment of larger antennas with much larger gain sizes, noting new applications in communications, radiometry, and radar in frequencies from 0.24 to 14 GHz. Applications in multi-beam communication which can hold spot sizes on the ground down to 30 miles in diameter, new applications of the large aperture radar antenna, and estimates of soil moisture by the microwave radiometer are discussed. The Solar Power Satellite consisting of a large solar collector orbiting the earth at geosynchronous altitude over the equator which requires ability to construct LSS in space is described, noting the design of solar cells and materials of construction, including graphite composites and aluminum alloys. Space construction procedures and equipment are considered, noting that the most likely procedure would deliver the subsystems to orbit separately, and then construct the spacecraft on-orbit and assemble the satellite.