[Evil Slayer]

Space Station Freedom

This was intended to be the final form of Reagan's space station. Note the assemblies at the end of the booms. These were solar dynamic power generators of novel design, well along in development at one time, but never completed, built, or deployed.

[anymouse]

I actually worked on the early design of the solar dynamic power modules back in 1988-89. Prototypes were actually built and tested. But it was determined that they didn't need all that power on then Space Station Freedom, so it was dropped from the program. What a shortsighted decision.

The “ball and truss” structure was also designed, built and tested on orbit in the space shuttle payload bay, but it too was dropped.

Both technologies should be restarted and used to create solar power satellites to beam power down to Earth. The technology is proven. The question is whether it would be cost effective. But that doesn't seem to be a barrier with the current Administration and Congress.