Finally, the integration of European nations effects space cooperation. What is new here is the integration of Western and Eastern European nations. Due to their geographical location. Western European nations are more serious than any other nations in supporting Eastern European countries. Financial crisis in the latter will directly effect the social and economic order of the former. An example of this would be the movement of unemployed Eastern Bloc laborers into Western Europe, affecting their unemployment rate. The financial burden for Western European nations to support Eastern Europe is enormous. 5.1.2 Objectives in Space Under the New Regime When facing such severe budgetary constraints, nations make decisions about whether to start a new program in space based on very specific objectives. In this section, three prevailing objectives under the new regime are discussed. One is the demonstration of national pride through development of advanced technology. Since World War II, national power has been measured by the progress of technology development. Even as the relative importance of military technology has decreased, the development of advanced technology is still considered crucial for industrial competitiveness, which directly impacts a nation's economic power. Secondly, the commercialization of space is a clear motivation for beginning new space programs within any of the large spacefaring nations. The development of commercially viable technologies then becomes crucial. Common strategies through international cooperative efforts in space have been successful in basic and applied research. This reduces each nation's total share of the total cost of doing such research and allows scientific information to be more widely disseminated. Then when a program reaches the commercial stage, each nation can pursue its own interests. It should be noted, however, that when commercial interests are clearly envisioned in the near-term, if often becomes difficult to carry out effective and meaningful cooperative projects. The third objective concerns the benefits for mankind. Due to increasing concerns for the global environment, the necessity to save the Earth through the application of space technologies is strongly sensed by some nations. Partially due to intense discussions on causes of green-house effects and current status of depletion of ozone layers, space programs designed to help save the global environment seem to win public support. Those programs can not be undertaken by only one nation. Therefore international cooperation becomes imperative. 5.1.3 International Political Implications of the Space Solar Power Program The space solar power program will be carried out through international cooperative efforts. Under the new international political regime, the space solar power program will be affected by all the changes previously discussed. If the space solar power program turns out to be successful, it will be a model for future international cooperative efforts. However, before considering the chances of success, one should analyze whether the space solar power program is attractive enough for potential participating nations from the international political aspect. It can be said that the space solar power program is a unique international cooperative project which will meet those three objectives discussed in the previous part. First of all, the space solar power program provides good opportunities to demonstrate a nation's technological potential. New technologies such as power beaming technology will be developed through the program, increasing the technological level of participating nations. Moreover, some of the advanced technologies of the space solar power program will be visible from the Earth. Particularly in the long-term phase, not only its ground facilities but also technologies used in outer space will be visible on the ground due to the magnitude of the program. Secondly, there is commercial potential in this program. It is highly unlikely that the total global energy demand will decline. Considering the limited supply of petroleum, on which a large portion of present human activities depends, nations should seek an unlimited energy source. Solar power is a good solution. If the cost of production decreases significantly in the long-term phase, as the technological development progresses, participants in this program can expect a substantial amount of commercial profit. Finally, this program would assist in saving the Earth to some extent. The space solar power program provides an alternative energy source, thus, preventing the continuation of the serious energy crisis
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