generation is being replaced by terrestrial photovoltaics and wind. The last two choices are highly dependent upon the climate. Burning fossil fuels for power generation has a very adverse impact on the environment. Fossil fuels also require a never ending source of hard currency. It is doubtful that nuclear power can either be scaled up or will be allowed to completely replace fossil fuels given public concerns about safety and waste disposal. In addition, the technology required to build and operate nuclear plants along with the foreign exchange needed to purchase them probably precludes many of the developing nations from utilizing nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. Conversion to energy from space, if we can overcome the hurdles, will become economic since oil reserves are being depleted, acid rain from coal continues to poison lakes and oceans, and global warming from CO2 buildup is increasing There are no easy choices but space solar power program appears to be one of the better ones. 3.2.2 Players Involved The cost and lack of a market niche defeated previous proposals to build satellite power systems. The solar power satellite of the 70's may have been a victim of it's giantism. Since it was huge in scale, it may have posed a direct and immediate threat to special interests such as coal, nuclear power and private utilities. Given the developing public distrust of huge government programs, like the Vietnam war and nuclear power during the 1970's, the lack of support, almost resistance, from competing interests doomed the 5 to 10 gigawatt systems and a $100 billion R&D effort proposed by the aerospace industry in the late 70's. In order for satellite power systems to become a viable energy option, an appropriate market strategy would have to be found where it does not directly, threaten vested interests or overly alarm the population and provides humanitarian and environmental benefits. The market strategy must also allow or demand tangible, visible successes every few years. There is a great deal of similarity in the problems facing market penetration by solar power satellites and terrestrial photovoltaic technology. There is a perception that PV technology is a technology of the future and is too expensive. This is the same perception which plagues the space power satellite concept. However, at least terrestrial solar electric occasionally gets mentioned in the popular press as an energy alternative. We have a long way to go to create public awareness of the space power satellite energy option. If advocates of solar power satellites continue to insist upon $100 billion research programs, 5 gigawatt satellites and multi-billion dollar lunar power systems without offering the public a path of gradual steps, the public will not finance their technological fantasies. This unwillingness on the part of advocates to begin small and drive to the successful completion of a small, perhaps even technically primitive and non-optimum demonstration is perhaps the biggest hurdle facing space power satellite. If we cannot overcome our desire for technological giantism, space power satellite will once again have to fight a tough battle for funding. The companies and personnel needed to develop satellite power systems are for the most part the same as those needed to build defense products and facilities. However, any new major space program, in order to have the support of the public and politicians, will have to reach beyond the space agencies and aerospace companies. New coalitions will have to be formed with other industrial partners, the scientific community and government agencies. Some of theses new partners may even have to be given the lead if the concept is to win through the maze of special interest groups. 3.2.3 Potential/Spin-off Determination Large scale projects are usually not carried out by one but by many companies. This will have a social, technological and economic impact to these suppliers like electrical, electronic and designing companies. An entire second infrastructure of enterprise (service or equipment providers) is needed. These companies will benefit from taking part in our project. As an example let us focus on labor requirements of various technologies. There is an estimated average number of people on site (rectenna) during construction and operation time required. For a long term project (5 GW) we assume that we need 3000 persons/year for about 2 years for
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