There has been a growing interest in the possibility of using space and space technology to provide significant quantities of energy for utilization on Earth. Attention has centered about a satellite power station concept in which electrical energy from solar or nuclear power plants is generated in Earth orbit and then transmitted to the ground by microwave beams. To the extent that this approach can effectively contribute to the solution of the energy problem, it is of interest to the US ERDA and should become a part of ERDA's national energy research, development and demonstration program. This report was prepared to assist the ERDA Task Group on Satellite Power Station sin discharging that responsibility. These analyses were conducted primarily in the areas of economics and energy balance.

In determining SPS feasibility the economic question is almost certainly the pivotal one. It is reasonably clear that the technological problems can be solved.