...the problem remains the old chicken and egg question as to why design a satellite to receive broadcast power wlien no power utility satellite exists and is anyway questionable, or why design, develop and deploy a power utility satellite for winch no market exists. Overall, a negative attitude to the potential of centrally-provided power through a Powersat is considered destructive. At the very minimum, developing future space infrastructure concepts, such as the proposed European Manned Space Infrastructure (EMSI), that take into consideration the possible application of Powersats might provide answers to other problems that might not otherwise be contemplated. For example, could locating a large percentage of a space station s power supply on a relatively robust Powersat minimise the complexity of the station’s operations and support requirements? For as long as future options for large-scale space activities remain open, Powersat concepts should be given as much trade-off consideration as any other form of space power approach. The objective of this study is to address these issues in their proper context. 2. FINDING THE FIRST APPLICATION 2.1 The Economics of Powersats Powersats might be considered ‘economic’ provided they have the capacity to realise: Cost Savings User power cost savings might be possible if the Powersat can be operated in a manner whereby the price users are charged is less than the cost of users providing their own power integrally. The price charged must enable the required level of cost
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