Space Solar Power: the idea of transmitting power harvested from the sun in space down to Earth. Sounds exciting?
This competition is looking for new and innovative technical concepts on space solar power!
Aim:
The competition aims to challenge entrants, in this case individuals and small teams (1-3 people) between the ages of 18-35, to submit a technical paper for a new and innovative technical concept for Space Solar Power (SSP). SSP, in its typical implementation and for the purposes of this competition, is the idea of transmitting power harvested from the sun in space down to Earth.
The entrant shall describe in technical detail their idea on a new SSP technical concept taking into consideration the use of current or realistic near-future technologies in a single technical paper (maximum length of 10 pages).
As many as possible of the following topics shall be tackled:
- The description of both the SSP’s space and ground segments including technical challenges mentioned in the literature, such as power distribution and management
- (PMAD), thermal control, transportation and assembly
- The estimate, at a system level, of the energy balance
- The economic assessment of the proposed concept, taking into account current and expected launch costs
- The trade-off of topics such as wireless power transmission technology or solar energy conversion technology
- The environmental impact and safety of the design
- A critical comparison with existing SSP concepts focusing on the novelty and advantage of the proposed concept
- Estimation, where possible, of the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) for each major technology used
- Analysis of potential synergies and integration within terrestrial solar power infrastructures
- The competition is intentionally broad. Contestants should attempt to understand the scientific, engineering, economic and social challenges involved
Judging:
- The submitted papers will be judged based on, but not only, aspects such as originality, feasibility, economic viability or novelty with previously proposed concepts.
- After the competition’s results announcement, the winning entry will be requested to prepare a 3 to 5 min long executive summary video as well as both IAC and SGC presentations.
- All papers will be judged by a panel of subject-matter experts.
Prizes:
- One (1) winning entrant will receive a full sponsorship (air travel, accommodation, meals, and registrations) for one (1) person in order to attend and present (either oral presentation or poster) the winning concept in Naples (Italy) during both 2012 Space Generation Congress (SGC) and 2012 International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
- Travel and conference arrangements will be coordinated by the IAF-SPC and the SGAC.
Schedule:
- All submissions must be made by July 1st, 2012 by 23:59 UTC. Any submissions after the due date will not be considered.
- Award winner will be announced by 17 August, 2012 (tentative).
- Competition’s Announcement: 25th April 2012
- Submission Deadline: 1st July 2012 (23:59 UTC)
- Winners Announced: 17th August 2012
- Executive Summary video due: 23rd September 2012
- Space Generation Congress 2012 (Naples, Italy).: September 27-29, 2012
- (Actual presentation date TBD)
- International Astronautical Congress 2012 (Naples, Italy).: October 1-5, 2012
- (Actual presentation date TBD)
Eligibility:
- Participants who are between 18-35 years old
- Join as an individual or be in small teams
