Fullfillment of these goals will require a better definition of the SSPS prototype's desirable erformance, size, and estimated cost. Once these have been broadly established, a finer grained structure of technology and cost goals can be folded into present technology development and verification plans. Present studies of an operational SSPS have identified those technical areas where impressive performance and cost gains can be expected. These are: • Efficient solar energy conversions at elevated temperatures; • Long range micro wave power transmission; and • Assembly and control of large semiflexible spacecraft structures. Within each of these broad categories, specific performance levels and weight and cost goals have been generally identified for a baseline, operational SSPS design. These represent the objective framework that, when integrated with prototype SSPS needs, establish detailed goals for the technology development and verification activity. 2. Recommendations. — To achieve these goals, a variety of analyses, ground tests, and development flight activities should be carried out. Therefore, as a next step, a Phase A-type study should be initiated to establish the most cost-effective strategy for achieving these goals. The resulting program would culminate with shuttle-borne payloads that would verify developed concepts; conversely, early definition of these payloads would provide the near-term focus for the technology development and verification program. FIGURE 92. - PROGRAM PHASING
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