76-HC-632

This is what an artist envisioned the Solar Power Satellite would look like. Shown is the assembly of a microwave transmission antenna. The solar power satellite was to be located in a geosynchronous orbit, 36,000 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Image credit: NASA

Image source: NASA on The Commons

GAC Artwork

Image credit: Grumman
Image source: Mike Acs

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Image credit: NASA
Image source: National Archives

The Space Shuttle

NASA Spinoff – 1981

Image credit: NASA
Image source: Internet Archive

PEP

NASA Spinoff – 1982

Image credit: NASA
Image source: Internet Archive

Stowed Vent Array

In this series by Lewis Research Center artist Les Bossinas, an astronaut demonstrates multi-purpose solar arrays. As it harnesses the power of the sun, the first can be configured as a wind-tunnel for protecting strawberries or used as a tent for children’s garden parties. The second model can be used as a balance beam for gymnastics, a ping pong table, or folded up to create a porch screen. Just the thing for an evening cocktail while watching the sunset.

Image credit: NASA LRC
Image source: DVIDS

S-76-24322

Image credit: Boeing
Image source: National Archives

SPS

In the aftermath of the ’70s oil crisis, Boeing designed a solar power satellite system that could supply most of the the United States with electricity. Boeing’s plan envisioned satellites the size of small cities placed in geosynchronous orbit, transmitting electrical energy back to Earth as microwaves. The satellites would either be constructed in low Earth orbit for later deployment into a higher orbit or constructed directly at the higher orbit.

Image credit: Boeing
Image source: SDASM Archives