• The battery mass on the station remains constant, or potentially, it could be reduced. • The batteries would be used only very sparingly (i.e. during Powersat outage periods) and. therefore, the replacement rate would be reduced significantly, ♦ Freedom remains small and. therefore, easier to control. • Maintenance activities will only be slightly increased due to the need to inspect and repair the power collector as necessary, • The Powersats are well outside the command and control zone. For the Powersats • Air drag at 7,500 km is negligible, • They do not need to precisely track the station, ♦ The separation distance between the Powersats and Freedom can be allowed to vary widely, • Conventional solar arrays can be used. • Either chemical or ion propulsion systems can be used (both are not needed). • Can be used for power beaming tests to Earth. The principal disadvantages are considered to include, For Freedom • Safety concerns as a result of possible laser beam mis-pointing,[ 14] • The short outage periods during the eclipse seasons, • Two rectennas would be required (one on both ends of the truss).
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