Table 4.4 Issue Timing continued manufacturing initiate lab studies for in- engineering scale up of ISRU development of lunar and assembly situ/indigenous resource utilization (IRSU) development of improved assembly techniques using Space Station Freedom and/or Mir experience in space experimental manufacturing (semiconductor, optics, thin- film substrate) initiate mapping of lunar surface development of control and disturbances model of large structure using Space Station Freedom and/or Mir results resource processing (regolith: Al, Si, Fe, O2; glass, composites) vibration control during assembly understanding of the choice of subassembly sizes (EVA/AVR versus number of launches) ISRU and low orbit space debris utilization business and other ensure credibility of ISPO to perform programs promotion of the space solar power concept raise funding for short-term needs raise funding for mid-term needs gather a core of interested scientist and engineers educate people about energy demand, pollution and alternative source of energy demonstration of space-to- Earth potential benefits assess costing with better accuracy promote space solar power idea, raise funding for far- term needs reassessment of market for the long term development of long-term marketing strategy prove basic scientific feasibility public education about space solar power (technology, effect of microwaves, legal/economic aspects) marketing of product obtain public acceptance assessment of space solar power cost attain cost effective space solar power As shown in both tables, significant efforts will be required in making the program commercially and socially acceptable. In particular, significant reduction of launch cost will be needed to initiate the full scale project. Several key technologies will also require to be investigated as well as the environmental impact of space solar power program. The technology and issue needs summary tables (4.3 and 4.4) serve as a guide in the creation of the technology development plan and assures that the most urgent are developed and demonstrated early. The program builds upon this by developing the next most critical item at each stage. Each of the projects within the plan represents a goal, a step, to this ultimate goal of an "electric utility". Each of the steps deals with a subset of the requirements and the technologies that are necessary. A step has a significant outcome that supports subsequent steps and is carried out in a timely manner. The relationship between each of these can be portrayed as a series of terraces, the last of which is the operational space solar power program system (Figure 4.5). The representation of the development plan as a terrace is attributed to Peter Glaser. Terracing is "Small projects that have progressive and continuing benefits". The technology development plan as described earlier consists of five distinct steps or projects, intended to demonstrate technologies and address issues. Each project must serve to support the next project or step in the terraced plan. In addition, long term research and issues must be conducted in parallel in the disciplines of life sciences and sociopolitical in order to support the final goal. The first step of the development plan is to demonstrate basic space solar power program technologies. The primary technologies to be demonstrated are the collection, conversion, beaming and receiving techniques. A space-to-space demonstration could satisfy the basic demonstrations, while avoiding Earth surface and atmospheric ecological concerns. Additional concerns will be addressed on the determination of the effects of the beam on electronics, the astro/cosmonauts and astronomic observations. This step will also require the establishment of an international organization, and lobbying of ITU for the frequency allocation. Several options exist for this demonstration.
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