The Journal is distributed electronically without charge to users on a global basis. On average, two new editions to the Journal are released each year. Individual issues provide in-depth examination of matters of importance to satellite and space communication in terms of:
- Education and Manpower Development
- Innovation and Technology
- Economy and Business Development
- Services and Applications
- Regulation and Public Policy
- Social Impact
- Regional Development
In partnership with the National Space Society’s Enterprise In Space Initiative, the Society of Satellite Professionals International, and Space Canada, our Online Journal of Space Communication has just completed the fourth round of our International SunSat Design Competition.
These competitions are intended to facilitate and accelerate the design, manufacture, launch and operation of the next-generation satellites, called SunSats, that will enable the continuous harvesting of energy in space, delivering it to Earth as a clean and abundant source of electrical power.
Teams will focus on those “practical applications” of wireless transfer of power to and from space that might produce near-term solutions in communications, transport, commerce, manufacturing, energy production, environmental protection and other significant challenges facing our planet.
Winning designs of 2014, 2015 and 2016, including Technical and Economic Briefs for each - written in a form that any intelligent reader can understand them - may be accessed by clicking on Issue No.18 of this Journal.
Those who are interested may want to also click on Issue No.17: Visualizing Space Solar Power, where earlier designs of Ohio University, Georgia Tech and other University students are posted, many of which have been presented at International Space Development and other conferences. All of these have had the benefit of mentoring by space scientists, engineers and/or professionals..
Note that Sol Invictus: The Unconquered Sun, a Space Solar Power app for mobile phones is now available without charge. See Issue No.18.
SPS-2018 International Symposium and Workshop at ISDC 2018 Los Angeles, California May 23-25, 2018
The Solar Power Satellite International Symposium and Workshop at ISDC 2018 (SPS 2018) will comprise four major events:
(1) a commemoration of Dr. Peter Glaser's 1968 invention of the SPS, including the contributions of William Brown (formerly with Raytheon Corporation) and Dr. Abdul Kalam (former President of India);
(2) a workshop to discuss long-distance power transmission spectrum, which follows on a discussion hosted by personnel from the office of the US Navy (USN) Chief Information Officer (CIO) in October 2017
(3) a kick-off meeting for the decadal IAA assessment of SSP, which was recently approved is the follow-on to the first international assessment, conducted during 2008-2011. This assessment is being conducted with support by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), SPACE Canada, and the National Space Society (See https://iaaweb.org/iaa/Studies/sg311_finalreport_solarpower.pdf for the 2011 report from the first international assessment); and,
(4) Presentations on the latest related technology development, demonstration, and deployment concepts, approaches, and missions.
The Symposium will also included student presentations from 2017-2018 International SSP Student Competition. (See https://www.spacecanada.org/index.php?page=space_solar_power_competition for additional information regarding the competition.)
A preliminary program is attached.
ISDC 2018 Los Angeles, California May 23-28, 2018
http://isdc2018.nss.org/
SPS-2018 Space Solar Power Symposium:
http://isdc2018.nss.org/space-solar-power/
Program Grid:
http://isdc2018.nss.org/at-a-glance/
Registration:
http://isdc.nss.org/2018/register.shtml
Accommodations:
http://isdc2018.nss.org/accommodation/
Special thanks to the National Space Society (NSS), Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), Space Canada, Journal-sponsor Ohio University, and all of you who contributed money, time and creative talent to the design of our next-generation satellites that will deliver to Earth MWatts of clean and renewable energy in the form of electrical power.
In Issue 18, view these extraordinary designs (including visualizations/technical and business briefs) produced in the 2014-2016 International SunSat Design Competitions in which $10,000 prizes were awarded.
Note that Sol Invictus: The Unconquered Sun, a Space Solar Power app for mobile phones – created by students at Ohio University - is now available without charge. See Issue No.18.
Don Flournoy, Editor
The Space Journal’s currently active Issue is No.19: Economics of Space Solar Power. Prof. Peter Schubert of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) will be our Distinguished Guest Editor. In the Fall 2017, Dr. Schubert began pulling together an editorial committee and has now sent out a call for papers.
In his Guidelines for Authors, Dr. Schubert wrote:
“Energy has become a social issue. Climate change is becoming a global concern. Environmental degradation touches almost all of us. Space Solar is an elegant answer but faces a challenge of perception, and a dearth of awareness. For this special issue of the Space Journal we invite you to submit a clarifying paper that focuses on one of the many economic questions that stands in the gateway to serious consideration.
Obviously, there are multiple technical pathways to space solar, more than one satellite architecture and design, construction and mode of delivery to various orbital locations.
For our special issue on the Economics of Space Solar, the Space Journal seeks to publish a diverse suite of solutions, a broad portfolio of options and approaches evaluated with common economic assumptions. Our intent will be to provide our global readership with a better understanding of the innovative means by which the technical community has aspired to realize this promising technology, and a clearer view of some of the cost-benefit tradeoffs.”
He has asked qualified persons “to submit a paper to be included in what we hope will be the gold standard of the day for explaining the economics of Space Solar. Our readership will include appropriations committees, with competing requests for funding, environmentalists jaded by technical ‘fixes,’ as well as climate scientists and other economists.
Your contribution to this special issue will create a resource that our entire community can point to when people, upon hearing about Space Solar, ask such questions as how can we afford/finance such a venture.”
Prof. Schubert requests that you communicate your interest to the Guest Editor with a title and 200 word abstract by 18 December 2017. A brief bio with qualifications and communications address will also be appreciated.
Please address Guest Editor:
Prof. Peter Schubert
pjschube@iupui.edu
+001 317 278 0812
In terms of timing:
- Abstracts due:
18 December 2017 - Manuscripts complete:
March 2018 - Intended publication date:
April 2018
