A SOCIETAL ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE EVALUATION OF THE SATELLITE POWER SYSTEM CONCEPT Richard D. Wood Aerospace Studies Department - Central Washington University A satellite power system technology assessment was performed by a group of 15 senior aeronautics students at Central Washington University. The group was composed of two females, two Air Force ROTC students, one Marine Corps student, one Puerto Rican student, a student from Saudi Arabia, with the remaining students being from the Pacific Northwest or California. What we shall attempt to do is summarize the material presented in the form of five group term papers prepared at the end of the technology assessment. Actual quotations, whenever possible, from the students' material - have been utilized. The bulk of the literature reviewed is that from the DOE/NASA satellite power system reports of October 1978 and the FASST review material prepared. MICROWAVE RADIATION As could probably be anticipated, the transmission of power from space to earth was one of primary concern, but note the rather unexpected comment. "Microwave radiation effects of SPS will become a more controversial issue, in the next few years, and once the issue starts to become confused, by the experts from both sides, public acceptance will become unlikely no matter what the experts find." It was felt that perhaps the most important environmental factor associated with the SPS, as well as the one which the least is apparently known, is the change in climate and weather on a local regional scale as a result of the depositing of rocket effluents in the ionosphere. It has been indicated in the preliminary review study that the daily launches of the type of HLLV planned could result in continuous substantial reduction in the total ionosphere. "It certainly is of great concern to us since possible consequences could affect everyone on this planet and would not be confined to a small area." "We feel that with what is known at the present time there will be many barriers from an environmental point of view to a SPS system." "It is our opinion that a launch site outside the continental United States would have to be built in order to comply with the existing environmental standards." Offshore sites for the rectenna location and dedicated rectenna islands seem to make a more favorable impression. LAND USE Comments concerning land use, that SPS would require, is summarized in the following quotes: "It is very difficult to find a suitable site that does not violate at least one of the suggested criteria for selection. It is not difficult to believe that some of these criteria are either insignificant or overemphasized." "Local government land has been included in the category under universal exclusion. If this were the only barrier, to an otherwise ideal site, surely some sort of land sale, trade or lease agreement could be made. Additionally, it appears that if the need for such a receiving system were great enough, state and local regulations could be altered, eliminated or circumvented in order to complete the system."
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