4.0 DETERMINATION OF SPS PROGRAM ELEMENTS An SPS responsive to the overall system requirements encompasses a large number of interrelated program elements and subelements. An approximate total of 600 of these have been recognized to date. Each one has to be considered while defining candidate SPS concepts, and each one is a part of the engineering and economic analyses. The major SPS elements discussed in the following paragraphs form the building blocks of the overall study plan and are summarized in Figure 4-1. 4.1 SATELLITE POWER STATION This element encompasses the power conversion options being studied. In addition to the photovoltaic and thermal solar energy conversion options, contractor studies are being performed on nuclear energy conversion systems (Appendix B). Each conversion option uses a rather similar microwave power conversion and transmission system as part of the satellite power station. 4. 2 GROUND RECEIVING AND DISTRIBUTION SITE This element includes the receiving antenna for the microwave beam, the utility interface with the related electric ground distribution system, the safety system related to microwave exposure protection and to the safety of maintenance and service activities, and the maintenance and service system. 4.3 MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS This element includes ground and orbital operations and their respective systems that support the required manufacturing, construction, assembly, and maintenance activities. A special operations management activity ties together equipment and manned operations and transportation and logistics requirements. 4.4 SPACE TRANSPORTATION This element consists of five transportation systems necessary to provide operational satellite power systems: the heavy lift launch vehicle (HLLV), the personnel launch vehicle (PLV), the cargo orbital transfer vehicle (COTV) system, the personnel orbital transfer vehicle (POTV) system, and local space transportation vehicle (LSTV) systems.
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