15.0 PROGRAM PLAN, TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT PLAN 15.1 PROGRAM PLAN The program plan for developing the SPS consists of four specific phases: feasibility assessment, technology advancement, development, and operational capability. The feasibility assessment phase of the plan began approximately in 1975 with the formation of a team of engineers with representation from each NASA center to evaluate the potential of the SPS concept. The results of the team activity were a recommendation for further study of the SPS concept and an identification of key discipline technology drivers. The feasibility assessment phase is to end in 1980. The primary purpose of this phase of development is to compare major competing concepts for the SPS and, at the feasibility level, resolve the major technology questions concerning each concept. At the end of this phase the number of concepts should be narrowed to approximately two and hopefully to a single preferred concept, since at this time large ground and flight test programs are envisioned that will be expensive to conduct on a parallel and competitive basis. The technology advancement phase of SPS development is to begin in 1980 and proceed to 1987. This phase of development is to begin with a continuation of ground technology work initiated in the previous feasibility assessment phase, is to have ground test work in support of a flight test program, is to feature sortie and space station support flight tests, and is to be marked with the milestones of a 150 kW power module in the 1982 through 1984 time frame and a 2 MW subscale SPS in the 1985 through 1986 time period. To begin the development phase a commitment to development of the SPS, to the required ground-to-orbit launch vehicle, and to the orbit-to- orbit launch vehicles will be necessary. Within the development phase, the design and construction in orbit of a prototype or first unit SPS will be concluded and the development of SPS production capability will occur. The production of as many as 100 to 125 SPS units is a possibility. The operational capability phase of the SPS is envisioned as beginning in 1995. During this phase as many as 10 SPS units could foreseeably become operational per year. The SPS technology development plan consistent with the program plan just outlined is shown in Table 15-1.
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