INTERNATIONAL SPACE SOLAR POWER STUDENT COMPETITION PAPER NO. 1 Architecture of lunar constellation for energy wireless transmission

The purpose of this research is the definition of a lunar orbiting system that provides energy on the lunar surface through wireless power transmission. To achieve the goal of supplying the energy demand of a lunar base a constellation of satellites is used, placed in particular stable orbits also called frozen orbits. The altitude is then obtained from a trade-off study optimizing for eclipse time, system efficiency, coverage, receiver surface area, spacecraft weight. Every satellite of the constellation is composed of solar arrays that provide energy to a laser that transmits power toward the receivers on the lunar surface. The receivers use photovoltaic cells optimized for the laser’s monochromatic light and a shape that minimizes the cosine losses of the transmission. A study is conducted considering a receiver on the lunar surface in the strategic position of the landing site for the Artemis missions, the Shacketlon crater near the lunar south pole. The aim is to provide the night-time energy requirement of a Lunar base estimated to be more than 22 MWh per year.