A modular, phased-array architecture for terawatt-scale space solar power stations: System design and orbital dynamics

A terawatt-class space solar power (SSP) infrastructure will require a scalable design that avoids the mass, assembly, and reliability limitations of monolithic orbital platforms. This paper presents a modular phased-array architecture in which a 2 TW space solar power system is built as a constellation of 400 identical 5 GW Space Solar Power Modules (SSPMs) operating in geostationary orbit. Each SSPM is a 4.3 km diameter filled circular aperture assembled from approximately 145,000 identical 10 m × 10 m Power Tiles. Each tile integrates thin-film triple-junction photovoltaics, solid-state 5.8 GHz microwave amplifiers, phase control electronics, and radiating antenna elements. The assembled SSPM functions as a coherent phased array capable of near-field focusing toward a dedicated terrestrial rectenna. A tailored amplitude taper and quadratic phase correction are used to generate an approximately flat microwave power-density profile over a ground receiving area while maintaining high beam-collection efficiency. The orbital dynamics of the low-areal-density structure are analysed with emphasis on solar radiation pressure, geopotential perturbations, gravity-gradient torque, and station-keeping requirements. A combined attitude and orbit control system using electric propulsion and control moment gyros is proposed to maintain beam-pointing accuracy, phase coherence, and constellation stability. The modular architecture enables incremental deployment, fault tolerance, distributed manufacturing, and a practical scaling path toward multi-terawatt space-based solar power.