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E+T Magazine

Robotic technology could build infrastructure in space, paving the way for space-based data centres, solar farms and other megastructures, a project from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and Space Solar has shown.

Space Solar, a UK-based space tech company pioneering space-based solar power, has used UKAEA’s test facilities for the robotic demonstrator project, called AlbaTRUSS.

The firm is currently developing a large-scale solar power satellite, CASSIOPeiA, that is able to generate electricity in space that can be beamed back to Earth using high-frequency radio waves.

“Up in space, the sun shines 24-7,” said Sam Adlen, co-CEO of Space Solar. “Once constructed, these satellites capture solar power and beam it back down to Earth in the form of microwaves, which can be received by antennas on the ground and converted into electricity for the grid.”

CASSIOPeiA is designed to be assembled in space using autonomous robots and carbon trusses.

For the AlbaTRUSS project, Space Solar used...

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  • In paragraph 4, it quotes Sam Adlen as making the statement that "Up in space, the sun shines 24-7" as though it was an unknown fact to the readers of the E+T Magazine .

    The concept of Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) was first developed by Dr Peter Glaser (NASA Engineer) in November 1968, who received a patent in 1973. 

    Concerning using Robots to assemble the structure in Space, I wonder if they ever considered using "Self Assembly" like that used on the James Webb Space Telescope - that is an origami based  structures?

    It should also be noted that Origami structures are currently used within the medical equipment industry. 

    Regarding the proposed use of Robots - What do they plan to do do with them after they have completed their jobs? Are they going to bring them back to earth or leave them in orbit as just space junk?

    Peter Brooks

    Palm Bay FL 

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