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Construction, Maintenance, and Lifetime
Launch Technique The size and weight of each space power satellite are too large for assembling in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) directly. We will take advantage of the economies of scale of shuttle launching and reduce the cost of shipping by using a two step based design. First, we will launch each satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) orbit near the already existing International Space Station.
The technique to send our payload to space will be using the Falcon 9 by SpaceX, as shown in Figure 1. This spacecraft is a fully reusable shuttle. The best price/ratio at present time is the Falcon 9 that spans 47m in length which is capable of sending approximately 9,300kg of material to LEO for $27 million dollars, or $2,900/kg.
Satellite Design
Our satellite design will consist of different modules so that it can easily be assembled once put into LEO and that can be sent in quantities that each reusable shuttle can handle. Robots, as shown in Figure 2, will be programmed to preform the assembly process as they can work 24 hours a day. Human construction works require living quarters and the effects on a human of long space missions are harmful to human health.
GEO Transfer
After assembly, the system will be transfered into GEO. After careful consideration, ion drives were selected as the method of movement. They have the benefit of having more thrust per kilogram, but may take a longer period of time to get into GEO orbit.
Satellite Maintenance
The satellite may need periodic maintenance to ensure all systems are working at 100%. Parts have been known to fail and accidents happen. Fatigue and effects from physical parameter will cause devices to lose efficiencies and thus need to be replaced. Robots with mechanical arms will preform periodic maintenance on the satellite.
Scheduled Downtime
There will be scheduled downtime for maintenance during the equinoxes. The load is less during that time of the year and the sun is not available for the PVs during that time due to the earth block the sun's rays.
Nonscheduled and Emergency
Accidents happen and random failure occurs in power systems. Risks of failure need to mitigated by having a contingency plan to fix the problem as soon as possible. Plan A is to fix it using the maintenance arms. Plan B send maintenance astronauts at the earliest warning signnals from the communication system.
REFERENCES
Figure 1. SpaceX Falcon 9 models
Figure 2. Robotic arms will put the satellite together in LEO
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