Solar Panels on Asteroids: Harnessing Space Energy for Sustainability
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
In Person or Zoom Presentation
In-Person
Campus
Daytona Beach
Status
Student
Faculty/Staff Department
Honors
Student Year and Major
Senior, Sophomore, Aerospace Engineering
Presentation Description/Abstract
Conventional space missions are limited by reliance on Earth-based supply or nuclear power, both of which present significant logistical, safety, and sustainability concerns with current energy production on Earth. Deep space missions in particular face barriers regarding fuel, especially as distance from the sun requires a transition from mounted solar panels to small nuclear reactors. Placing solar panels on asteroids for the purpose of fueling long-term operations within, near, or beyond the asteroid belt is one option to address these barriers to deep-space travel. By generating a sustainable, uninterrupted power supply in space, this approach takes advantage of continuous solar exposure. Additionally, asteroids could serve as platforms for energy generation that support scientific research stations, resource extraction, or act as fueling outposts for deep-space missions. The study will assess the surface conditions around two well-documented, near-Earth asteroids, Bennu and Eros, by analyzing and compiling research previously conducted by NASA. It is expected that flat surfaces will exist on each asteroid, which will display optimal locations for solar panel placement. This analysis will evaluate the practicality of installing solar panels on these specific asteroids while also assessing the broader feasibility of applying such systems across all asteroids. While significant challenges and economic barriers exist beyond this study – including the energy loss due to the large distance from the sun and anchoring solar panels in a low-gravity environment – this overall concept could eliminate a source of significant energy consumption and allow for more long-term space exploration.
Keywords
Solar Panels, Asteroids, Renewable Energy, Long-Term Solutions, Aerospace Industry
Solar Panels on Asteroids: Harnessing Space Energy for Sustainability
Conventional space missions are limited by reliance on Earth-based supply or nuclear power, both of which present significant logistical, safety, and sustainability concerns with current energy production on Earth. Deep space missions in particular face barriers regarding fuel, especially as distance from the sun requires a transition from mounted solar panels to small nuclear reactors. Placing solar panels on asteroids for the purpose of fueling long-term operations within, near, or beyond the asteroid belt is one option to address these barriers to deep-space travel. By generating a sustainable, uninterrupted power supply in space, this approach takes advantage of continuous solar exposure. Additionally, asteroids could serve as platforms for energy generation that support scientific research stations, resource extraction, or act as fueling outposts for deep-space missions. The study will assess the surface conditions around two well-documented, near-Earth asteroids, Bennu and Eros, by analyzing and compiling research previously conducted by NASA. It is expected that flat surfaces will exist on each asteroid, which will display optimal locations for solar panel placement. This analysis will evaluate the practicality of installing solar panels on these specific asteroids while also assessing the broader feasibility of applying such systems across all asteroids. While significant challenges and economic barriers exist beyond this study – including the energy loss due to the large distance from the sun and anchoring solar panels in a low-gravity environment – this overall concept could eliminate a source of significant energy consumption and allow for more long-term space exploration.