fut/sps_v_bw_o_n (1977, Boeing Aerospace Co. PR photo no. V 1644, S-78-23143 eq)
“Photo shows Boeing conception of a photovoltaic (solar cell) power satellite being constructed in low Earth orbit. A Space Shuttle Orbiter (upper right) docks at the facility’s assembly bay. To the left, an upper stage of a heavy lift launch vehicle approaches the facility to discharge its cargo of construction material. The weightlessness of space allows the use of weblike structures of a sort which would be crushed if used on Earth. The satellite would be deployed in geosynchronous orbit after completion.”
Above per the affixed official Boeing caption, below from the affixed associated newspaper clipping:
“Boeing Spaces Out on a Sunny Idea
A mammoth solar energy satellite dwarfs a space shuttle orbiter (arrow, upper right) docking at the facility’s assembly bay in this sketch from the Boeing Co. To the left, an upper stage of a heavy launch vehicle approaches the facility to discharge its cargo of construction material. The weightlessness of space allows the use of weblike structures of a sort which would be crushed on earth. The satellite could be erected 22,000 miles above earth, in a fixed orbit, and transmit power to a receiving system on the ground. It would cover 50 square miles, equivalent to the area of a small city and would supply enough electricity for a million homes. The sun’s power collected by the satellite would be beamed to earth in the form of microwaves, which in turn would be converted to usable electricity. Boeing’s Ralph Nansen, manager of space-based solar power systems, says it’s an idea whose time has come.”
8.5” x 11”. The markings along/within the white border clearly identify this as having been used as the source for press reproduction. Interestingly, a previous ‘owner’ had already attempted to remove the markings, which were in pencil fortunately. The slightly faded area to the immediate upper right of the orbiter is where the referenced (and at some point, affixed) arrow had been removed.
Gorgeous work by John J. Olson, and pretty much iconic (in my world), when it comes to Solar Power Satellites. Despite that, there doesn’t seem to be a high-resolution version of it anywhere, not even at the arrogant “Boeing Secure Image” website.
Finally, for purists…or probably just purist, WITH the official Boeing photo number AND caption. BFD though I suppose. If nothing else, at least now there’s a high-res black & white version online. Yay.
The second image at the following link, and diagram below it, looks to be the referenced Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLLV):
www.pmview.com/spaceodysseytwo/spacelvs/sld044.htm
Credit: PMView Pro website
If so, which I never really paid attention to before, the eight engines visible on the HLLV were to each have been a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Damn, who knew? Did you??? I didn’t!!!
And finally, trivial & obscure, which I’m all about, note the apparent “SSI” logo…I think. I’ve passingly noted it before, without giving it really any consideration. However, now, FINALLY, due to the high resolution, after 44+ years, which I didn’t even know was there, printed beneath the SSI lettering is…”SUNSAT SPACEWAYS”…maybe followed by “INC”, it’s kind of blurred. Tah Dah! Yet another one-off WIN. Yay II.
In all seriousness, yet another gorgeous & detailed work by Jack Olson.
Jack Olson, continue to Rest In Peace Brother. Thank You:
www.398th.org/Images/Images_Association/Text/Olson_Cleari...
Credit: ‘398th Bomb Group Memorial Association’ website
space.nss.org/national-space-society-governor-jack-olson-...
Credit: National Space Society (NSS) website
fut/sps_v_bw_o_n (1977, Boeing Aerospace Co. PR photo no. V 1644, S-78-23143 eq)
“Photo shows Boeing conception of a photovoltaic (solar cell) power satellite being constructed in low Earth orbit. A Space Shuttle Orbiter (upper right) docks at the facility’s assembly bay. To the left, an upper stage of a heavy lift launch vehicle approaches the facility to discharge its cargo of construction material. The weightlessness of space allows the use of weblike structures of a sort which would be crushed if used on Earth. The satellite would be deployed in geosynchronous orbit after completion.”
Above per the affixed official Boeing caption, below from the affixed associated newspaper clipping:
“Boeing Spaces Out on a Sunny Idea
A mammoth solar energy satellite dwarfs a space shuttle orbiter (arrow, upper right) docking at the facility’s assembly bay in this sketch from the Boeing Co. To the left, an upper stage of a heavy launch vehicle approaches the facility to discharge its cargo of construction material. The weightlessness of space allows the use of weblike structures of a sort which would be crushed on earth. The satellite could be erected 22,000 miles above earth, in a fixed orbit, and transmit power to a receiving system on the ground. It would cover 50 square miles, equivalent to the area of a small city and would supply enough electricity for a million homes. The sun’s power collected by the satellite would be beamed to earth in the form of microwaves, which in turn would be converted to usable electricity. Boeing’s Ralph Nansen, manager of space-based solar power systems, says it’s an idea whose time has come.”
8.5” x 11”. The markings along/within the white border clearly identify this as having been used as the source for press reproduction. Interestingly, a previous ‘owner’ had already attempted to remove the markings, which were in pencil fortunately. The slightly faded area to the immediate upper right of the orbiter is where the referenced (and at some point, affixed) arrow had been removed.
Gorgeous work by John J. Olson, and pretty much iconic (in my world), when it comes to Solar Power Satellites. Despite that, there doesn’t seem to be a high-resolution version of it anywhere, not even at the arrogant “Boeing Secure Image” website.
Finally, for purists…or probably just purist, WITH the official Boeing photo number AND caption. BFD though I suppose. If nothing else, at least now there’s a high-res black & white version online. Yay.
The second image at the following link, and diagram below it, looks to be the referenced Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLLV):
www.pmview.com/spaceodysseytwo/spacelvs/sld044.htm
Credit: PMView Pro website
If so, which I never really paid attention to before, the eight engines visible on the HLLV were to each have been a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Damn, who knew? Did you??? I didn’t!!!
And finally, trivial & obscure, which I’m all about, note the apparent “SSI” logo…I think. I’ve passingly noted it before, without giving it really any consideration. However, now, FINALLY, due to the high resolution, after 44+ years, which I didn’t even know was there, printed beneath the SSI lettering is…”SUNSAT SPACEWAYS”…maybe followed by “INC”, it’s kind of blurred. Tah Dah! Yet another one-off WIN. Yay II.
In all seriousness, yet another gorgeous & detailed work by Jack Olson.
Jack Olson, continue to Rest In Peace Brother. Thank You:
www.398th.org/Images/Images_Association/Text/Olson_Cleari...
Credit: ‘398th Bomb Group Memorial Association’ website
space.nss.org/national-space-society-governor-jack-olson-...
Credit: National Space Society (NSS) website