Astro-SPAS would demonstrate the ability to beam power to a collector on Earth as it passed overhead. A smaller “pilot” laser on Astro-SPAS would be required for the adaptive optic systems in order to properly compensate for atmospheric disturbances. Depending on orbital characteristics, this experiment could be conducted a number of times in a two or three day period, and possibly at different sites around the world. 5.2.4 Programmatics & Schedule Discussion Ideally, Phase A level studies of the microwave advanced demonstrator concept would run concurrently with the ASAP demonstrator activities. However, detailed design and definition would commence following analysis of the ASAP mission. This would put the Phase B programme start date around 1997/98. The length of the programme would be dependent on a number of factors - not the least of which being Shuttle availability. However, technical issues for the type of reference concept discussed above are not considered to pose significant schedule concerns and a 4-5 year Phase C/D effort is probably realistic. This would lead to a launch date of around 2002. For the laser experiment, laser and converter enabling technology development work would need to begin almost immediately in order to achieve a launch date of around 2005, because of the long lead-time of these components. This is considered possible because the SILEX experiments are less important to the success of a laser demonstrator compared with the microwave experiment being dependent on the initial demonstrator. However, the development costs of the laser and converter are likely to be high, and such an experiment will necessitate a greater initial investment to meet a mid-2000 launch date.
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