NASA continues to assess Solar Sail system progress following deployment

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 23, 2024

NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is advancing through post-deployment testing, with mission operators carefully reviewing data to evaluate the performance of the spacecraft’s composite booms. Following the successful deployment of both the booms and solar sail, the spacecraft continues to experience slow tumbling in orbit due to the deactivation of its attitude control system.

Prior to the deployment phase, the team deactivated the attitude control system to accommodate changes in the spacecraft’s dynamics during the unfurling of the solar sail. This system is vital for maintaining a spacecraft’s orientation in space, ensuring proper alignment for communications and solar energy collection.

While the solar sail has fully deployed into its square shape-approximately half the size of a tennis court-the team is analyzing a slight bend detected in one of the four composite booms. The bend likely occurred as the booms were stretched during deployment. However, preliminary analysis suggests the bend has partially straightened over time as the spacecraft slowly tumbles in orbit.

The primary goal of the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System mission is to validate the deployment of the composite booms, contributing crucial data for future applications of this technology in solar sails and other space structures. The data gathered so far has already been extremely useful and will continue to inform the advancement of solar sail missions.

The mission team expects that the slight bend will not interfere with the solar sail’s planned maneuvers, which are slated for the later stages of the technology demonstration.

Currently, efforts are focused on repositioning the spacecraft, which remains in low-power mode to conserve energy. The team is working to optimize the orientation of the solar panels to receive more sunlight and prioritize essential operations, such as two-way communication with mission control. Once the attitude control system is reactivated, operators will be able to precisely position the spacecraft’s high-bandwidth antenna for improved communication, collect additional data, and prepare for the mission’s upcoming sailing maneuvers.

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Space Solar and Transition Labs to bring space solar power to Iceland by 2030

by Sophie Jenkins

London, UK (SPX) Oct 22, 2024

Space Solar, a leading company in space-based solar power, has partnered with Transition Labs to provide Reykjavik Energy with electricity from the world’s first space-based solar power plant. This plant, expected to be operational by 2030, will have an initial capacity of 30 MW.

Space Solar’s new solar power system will orbit the Earth, capturing solar energy and transmitting it wirelessly using high-frequency radio waves to stations on the ground. These stations will convert the energy into electricity and feed it directly into the grid, delivering renewable energy 24/7, regardless of weather conditions, with costs comparable to other renewable sources.

The venture marks a major step in the renewable energy sector. Unlike ground-based solar plants, which rely on sunlight and weather, Space Solar’s technology ensures consistent power generation. Their first plant will generate 30 MW within five years, and by 2036, each plant could provide GigaWatts of power, helping to meet growing global energy demands and contribute to a carbon-free future.

Transition Labs, a private climate initiative based in Iceland, has supported Space Solar in making this vision a reality. Reykjavik Energy, known for its leadership in climate action through its subsidiary Carbfix, is a key partner in the project. Together, they are addressing the engineering challenges of space-based solar energy and exploring locations for ground-based reception stations, including Iceland, Canada, and northern Japan.

Kjartan Orn Olafsson, CEO of Transition Labs, highlighted the partnership, stating: “The collaboration with Reykjavik Energy marks a key milestone in Space Solar’s journey toward full-scale deployment. Their forward-thinking approach to climate technology, combined with expertise in carbon storage through Carbfix and a long-standing partnership with Climeworks, makes Reykjavik Energy the perfect partner for Space Solar’s initial phase.”

The independent analysis by Imperial College London indicates that adding 8 GW of space-based solar energy to the UK’s energy system could save over GBP 4 billion in system costs annually.

Martin Soltau, co-CEO of Space Solar, expressed excitement about the project: “Space-based solar power offers unparalleled benefits with competitive energy costs and 24/7 availability. Reykjavik Energy’s recognition of the potential for space-based solar to drive the energy transition is exciting, and we’re thrilled to be working together in partnership toward a sustainable future.”

The agreement with Reykjavik Energy is a significant step in commercializing space-based solar power, positioning Space Solar at the forefront of a new renewable energy revolution with global implications.

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Mercedes opens electric car battery recycling plant

by AFP Staff Writers

Frankfurt, Germany (AFP) Oct 21, 2024

Mercedes-Benz inaugurated Monday a plant for recycling electric vehicle batteries in Germany, with the luxury carmaker’s boss hailing a “key milestone” in boosting the sector’s sustainability.

The plant, in the southwestern town of Kuppenheim, will have an annual capacity to recycle 2,500 tonnes of material which will feed into producing some 50,000 batteries for the group’s electric models.

The factory “marks a key milestone towards enhancing raw-materials sustainability”, said Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who attended the plant opening, said recycling was “key” when it came to EV batteries.

“The circular economy is a growth engine and, at the same time, an essential building block for achieving our climate targets,” he said.

With the clock ticking on an EU deadline to phase out the sale of fossil fuel-burning cars by 2035, there is a growing focus on producing and recycling electric car batteries in the bloc.

As well as reducing waste from EVs, recycling is seen as important to boost European sovereignty in the batteries sector, as materials such as cobalt, nickel and lithium mainly come from outside the region.

Mercedes has invested tens of millions of euros in the new plant, and says it will be able to recycle more than 96 percent of battery materials.

The plant covers all steps in the process, from shredding battery modules to drying and processing materials, according to the carmaker.

The critical metals are extracted individually via a chemical process and will be used to make new battery cells.

The process at the plant uses less energy and creates less waste than at other plants in Europe, according to Mercedes.

The opening of the factory is some rare good news for Europe’s EV battery sector, which has suffered as electric vehicle sales slump on the continent.

Swedish battery maker Northvolt, a cornerstone in Europe’s efforts to catch up with China in producing EV cells, announced last month it would cut a quarter of its staff in Sweden, as it struggles with strained finances and slowing demand.

Mercedes, like other German auto makers, has suffered in recent times and last month cut its outlook due to weak sales in the key Chinese market.

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Mercedes-Benz Group

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