In accomplishing the above objective, the set tasks of this paper are threefold; first, to delineate in the light of historical precedents the problems that will need to be resolved, and the potential time delays in doing so to obtain agreements in these three basic areas; second, to identify and make a preliminary evaluation of alternative strategies, including perhaps, foreign or United Nations' participation in the SPS program to facilitate such agreements and third, to establish areas requiring additional study and provide a recommended approach. 1.3 Assumptions The SPS concept, stipulated as an assumption or guideline for this paper, has been described in the following terms: The SPS concept involves placing a satellite equipped with large solar cell arrays in orbit around the earth. The arrays collect light energy from the sun and convert it to electricity, which is then converted to microwaves and beamed by a transmitting antenna located on the satellite to a receiving antenna located on the ground. The receiving antenna (rectenna) changes the microwaves back into electricity which can then be fed directly into the utility network. Both the satellite and the rectenna are on the order of 100 square kilometers in size and the system is designed so that each rectenna will provide 5,000 megawatts to the utility grid. The scope of the concept can perhaps be placed in perspective by considering that the generating capacity of 20-30 of these satellites would be equal to all the electrical power generated in the United States in 1975. Furthermore, projected energy demand at the turn of the century as well as basic economics indicate that an even greater number of satellites be programmed. Such a system may be confidently anticipated to have far-reaching impacts on society.
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