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Our future in space is going to be radically different with the implementation of space solar power.\xa0 According to John Mankins, space solar power is an energy application that\u2019s going to happen in the coming decade(s); the only question is, who will build it?

John Mankins has made his case. It\u2019s a case for space solar power. John\u2019s more than qualified to make this case, too. He\u2019s a leading international expert in the field of space solar power, the author of the book, "The Case for Space Solar Power,\u201d and John worked at NASA for 25 years. While at NASA, he led NASA\u2019s studies of space solar power, and conducted advanced concepts studies, and managed R&D projects for exploration and development.\xa0 On this episode of Casual Space, John explains how space solar power is not only doable, it\u2019s affordable, and it can be a part of our not-so-distant future.\xa0\xa0

The Case for Space Solar Power book available here: https://www.amazon.com/John-Mankins-Space-Solar-Power/dp/B00N4IXV06/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=\xa0

More about John Mankins

John C. Mankins, President of Artemis Innovation Management Solutions LLC is an internationally recognized leader in space systems and technology innovation, and as a highly effective manager of large-scale technology R&D programs.

Mr. Mankins\u2019 25-year career at NASA and CalTech\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) ranged from flight projects and space mission operations, to systems level innovation and advanced technology research & development management. He is also well known as an innovator in R&D management.\xa0 For example, building on the original NASA \u2018technology readiness level\u2019 (TRL) scale for technology assessment (defined first with 6 or 7 levels in the 1970s), he extended the scale to flight systems and operations in the late 1980s (TRLs 8 and 9), published the first detailed definitions of the TRLs in 1995, and promoted the use of the scale by the US Department of Defense in the late 1990s.

Before leaving NASA, Mr. Mankins was the manager of Exploration Systems Research and Technology within the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate with responsibility for an $800M annual budget, involving more than 100 individual projects and over 3,000 personnel. For 10 years, he was the manager of Advanced Concepts Studies at NASA, and the lead for critical studies of space solar power, highly reusable space transportation, affordable human exploration approaches, and other topics. He was the creator or co-creator of numerous novel concepts, including the \u2018MagLifter\u2019 electromagnetic launch assist system, the Internet-based NASA \u2018Virtual Research Center\u2019 the \u2018Solar Clipper\u2019 interplanetary transport vehicle, the \u2018SunTower\u2019 space solar power system, the \u2018Hybrid Propellant Module\u2019 for in-space refueling, the \u2018HabBot\u2019 mobile planetary outpost architecture, the Advanced Technology Life cycle Analysis System (ATLAS), and others. In recognition of his accomplishments, he has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (of which he was the first recipient).

He holds undergraduate (Harvey Mudd College) and graduate (UCLA) degrees in Physics and an MBA in Public Policy Analysis (The Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University). Mr. Mankins is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and Chair of the Academy Commission III (Space Systems and Technology Development); and a member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the Sigma Xi Research Society.

Mr. Mankins is an accomplished communicator, including political, programmatic, technical and lay audiences. He has authored or co-authored more than 80 published papers, reports and other technical documents, and has testified before Congress on several occasions, and has been consulted on R&D management and space issues with organizations in the U.S. and internationally.

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