I I. SURVEY OF RELEVANT LITERATURE AND RELATED WORK The survey for unclassified relevant literature and information on related work has included a Defense Documentation Center search, a search of the open literature, and conferences and contacts with representatives of the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and industrial organizations and individuals acting in a private capacity. During this survey it was learned that several efforts have included the consideration and documentation of the general topic of military activities in space. Examples include references 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. However, with the exception of reference 6, no effort has been made to summarize this work because these reports and papers are readily available. Some of the pertinent information contained in reference 6 concerning laws and treaties is summarized by Mr. Leonard David in appendix A. The potential of the Satellite Power System (SPS) to function as a weapon, support U.S. military preparedness, and affect international relations and SPS vulnerability, are discussed in the following paragraphs. 2.1 WEAPON AND MILITARY PREPAREDNESS IMPLICATIONS Civilian space systems, like military space systems, are based on current technology; therefore, the systems provided by NASA and DOD would be expected to have many common features, several of which could implicate the SPS militarily. 8/ In 1958, shortly after the Sputnik launch, NASA- was formed from the old National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and from selected individuals and groups performing DOD space-related work. Projects transferred to NASA included project Vanguard and certain lunar probes and rocket engine programs. The formation of joint committees of NASA and military personnel to pursue common objectives and the free movement of workers (even the astronauts) between military and NASA space projects tend to promote similarities between NASA and military space efforts and equipment. Therefore, it does not seem inappropriate to consider the question of military implications of a civilian space system. 2.1.1 Weapon Implications Use of the SPS as a weapon is a major concern. U.S. citizens as well as foreign governments and their citizens will want to know whether the power transmission beams can operate as weapons and what assurances can be provided that this 5 gigawatts of power will not be used as a weapon. The weapons implication of the NASA reference SPS (table 2.1) is examined.
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