Spacelab. It was concluded that by far the best option (within Europe and the U.S.) for the initial demonstrator should be the use of the Ariane 4/ASAP micro-satellite launch system. Shuttle launch options for the initial demonstrator all fall within the start of the Space Station Freedom assembly sequence and, therefore, will be highly susceptible to significant delays. • The initial demonstrator reference concept is for microwave experimentation only. It uses five or six positions on a single ASAP ring, enabling an equivalent demonstrator mass of up to 200 kg. (Figures 5a & b) The concept hinges around the use of a small tether system needed to maintain an inflatable, 12.5 m diameter rectenna pointed at the transmission system remaining secured to ASAP. Travelling wave tubes (12 Ghz) are used for the microwave source, and power is supplied from a high-rate lithium battery. Depending on whether a fixed or inflatable reflector is used, it is estimated that around 500W can be transmitted between 0.25 and 1.5 km at 60% transmission efficiency. • Total cost of the initial demonstrator is estimated to be in the region of about 10 million AUs spread over 4 or 5 years. • The initial demonstrator would require use of some unproven technologies, such as tethers and inflatable structures. Therefore, the ASAP initial demonstrator offers a rare opportunity to act as a test-bed for new technology - but only for technology critical to the success of the demonstrator’s mission. It is because of the high cost and minimal number of opportunities to access space that such technologies have limited or no spaceflight heritage. • The requirements for a microwave and laser demonstrator are very different.
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