IV. TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY A. Critical Questions Beginning with the earliest systems definition studies, it has been recognized that SPS will require significant technological advancements in several disciplines. Continued study has indicated that establishment of firm designs, performance levels, cost expectations, development requirements, and environmental acceptability, depends on the resolution of several critical questions. Although overall success of SPS development is possible over a range of performance and design, establishment of specific attainable performance levels is important to establishment of designs and system specifications. The critical questions involve engineering, economic, and environmental issues, each of which require laboratory test effort to obtain the necessary information for full evaluation of the SPS concept. This summary will confine itself to critical questions primarily related to questions of engineering feasibility. Many of these questions and the required test activity are interlaced with answering critical environmental and economic questions. The critical questions may be categorized according to the following general subsystem areas. 1. Microwave power transmission 2. Solar arrays 3. Power distribution 4. Structures and control 5. Materials 6. Construction 7. Space transportation Critical questions under each of the above categories are summarized below.
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