propellant that must be launched to the station annually. Specifically, the advantages for Freedom and the Powersat are as follow: For Freedom • The station-keeping propellant needs remain roughly the same even though the power level has been doubled. • The station remains small and. therefore, easier to control, and • Maintenance activities will only be slightly increased due to the need to inspect and repair the rectenna as necessary. For the Powersat • Existing microwave technology can be used, ♦ Only one Powersat is needed, and • It can be built in a heavy and robust fashion. The principal disadvantages, assuming the Powersat uses solar arrays for power generation, are as follow: For Freedom • Battery mass would still have to be doubled as before in order to maintain the required power level during an eclipse, • Batteries will have to be replaced as frequently as before, • There are safety hazards associated with having another large spacecraft within Freedom’s command and control zone. For the Powersat • The ballistic coefficient is likely to be very large, necessitating a
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