• Two possible Powersat designs are envisaged, designated the Microwave and Laser Solutions. The Microwave Solution would continuously trail a space station within 5-20 km. The Laser Solution would be located in a higher orbit and provide power to a station during eclipse passages every orbit. • The inability of the Space Shuttle to be launched more than 6-8 times per may preclude Freedom’s expansion to higher power levels simply because of the increased logistics requirements it would demand. Therefore, Powersats may make power expansion of Freedom practical while providing an opportunity cost savings equivalent to about 50-75% of one Shuttle mission per year. (e.g. around 2,000-4,000 MAU over 10 years) Prospects for Powersat Demonstration Programme • Powersats are not presently recognised as a high-priority for the European space agenda. Therefore, it is not considered pragmatic to embark immediately on a major Powersat technology and space demonstration programme. • Given the future potential of Powersat and other Solar Power Satellite systems, and the higher level of interest in this subject in other countries, it is considered worthwhile to implement a modest effort culminating with an inexpensive flight experiment performed in the 1997/98 timeframe. This initial demonstrator would provide information that can only be achieved through space flight. Equally importantly, it would act as a catalyst for creating interest in Powersat applications and spurring development of more advanced demonstration activities.
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