structures made from them. • The solar cell cost review includes basic materials, refined materials, solar cell assembly and interconnection. Excluded is any discussion of the aggregation of cells into solar panels/ blankets. • The slip rings cost review includes the materials and the potential environmental problems of assembly and long term behavior. Excluded is any discussion of mechanical assembly or the electrical capability of the slip ring design. • The satellite and ground electrical systems cost review concludes that insufficient technical specifications are available to permit cost comparison with existing analogous electrical systems and components. The estimated cost multipliers are summarized in Table 1. CONCLUSIONS This review of estimated costs for the SPS has led to a number of conclusions. These conclusions are preliminary to the degree that they are based on consideration of preliminary data: • Conceptual designs of systems and equipments, • Projections of current research and development efforts to future levels of performance and production, • Uncertainties in specific functional requirements, • Areas where existing technology currently provides no obvious solutions. Moreover, the conclusions are limited primarily to the six systems/equipments/ components previously discussed. Although the items selected for review constitute somewhat greater than 50 percent of the capital costs as estimated in the studies reviewed, there are major areas of technology and costs which were not appraised in this present evaluation. Among these major areas are: • Space construction, • Earth - LEO - LEO - GEO transport vehicles, support, and operations, • In-orbit, GEO, operation and maintenance and spares, • Operation and maintenance costs for the rectenna. In the absence of a critical appraisal of these areas, the cost multipliers in Table 1 should be used only as a numerical guide to determine where further R&D and engineering should be expended. Two general conclusions appear warranted by the reviews presented here. 1. The costs projected are based on optimistic assessments of future technological and manufacturing capabilities when compared with cost generated on the basis of the current status of research and development, engineering demonstration, and production practices.
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