PaddleSats and the Future of Space Solar Power

The key to profitable collection of solar power in space and transport back to earth on a microwave link is the development of PaddleSats. These ultra-thin spacecraft dual-purpose their photovoltaic, RF, and other electronics as navigation surfaces, allowing basic station-keeping, attitude control, and even orbital transfer through the use of solar pressure. We will explain the economics of PaddleSats for space solar power as well as how to integrate microwave electronics onto a PaddleSat for maximum power transfer to earth.