due to depletion of fossil fuel and the negative effects of emission of CO2. Even if most of the nations in the world can agree on taking some effective measures to prevent emissions of burning fossil fuels, there must be alternatives to replace petroleum use. Initiation of the space solar power program can provide good supporting ground to lead the nations toward meaningful and necessary agreements to protect the global environment. Indeed, the space solar power program can be an international cooperative test case to prove whether the nations can get together to save the Earth. What should be noted here is that the space solar power program is politically complicated. This is a program in which objectives by participating nations may well contradict each other. While commercial interests in this program will be pursued by each individual nation, benefits to the global society as a whole must be achieved. By providing an alternative energy source, which has been a long-term interest and need of mankind, nations can unite to benefit the many. The ISPO structure is crucial to achieve each of these objectives at a satisfactory level. In the following section, the most suitable organizational structure is discussed in detail. 5.2 Organizational Structure The ISPO has been created to be a flexible structure which can evolve as the space solar power program progresses through its three-phased development process: Phase I: $80 million space to space feasibility demonstration Phase II: $800 million space to ground feasibility demonstration Phase III: Development of a large-scale commercial system from space to terrestrial power grids. The philosophy of the organization will be to focus on technical and commercial objectives rather than political goals. Therefore, commercial management techniques will be utilized, and procurement contracts will be awarded principally through an open bidding process as opposed to a system of “Juste Retour”, where contracts are awarded to organization members based on their overall contribution. Additionally, staffing decisions will be made on a merit basis with secondary attention given to equitable geographical distribution. A strict application of commercial principles will be mitigated somewhat by a policy of encouraging broad international inclusion in the ISPO. Signatories The organization will be international in scope. It is important at the early formative stages of the organization to include all the major players who are interested in space solar power. These include interested governments, the various space agencies, the utility companies, the scientific community, the manufacturers, the financial institutions and the media. A method well-suited to regroup the players is by means of a founding conference. The founding conference would be responsible to introduce all the members involved, to promote and educate the members on the goals of the Space Solar Power Program and to provide the short- and long-term plans for the project. The conference would conclude with a formal ceremony of the Signatories. The conference will need initial support, both financial and in kind. This support could come in part from the aforementioned players and from institutions such as the Space Studies Institute whose goal is to promote the peaceful development of space. Governmental and private entities who contribute a minimum amount of financial or in-kind support will become Signatories of the ISPO. Such a minimum amount will be set forth in the ISPO Charter (hereafter the Charter). All Signatories are members of the Assembly of Signatories. Each Signatory is given an equal vote in the Assembly of Signatories which will meet at least once per year. The function of the Assembly of Signatories is analogous to the role of a stockholder's meeting in a private corporation. They are responsible for setting overall policy and making major strategic decisions. Their role also includes overseeing the Board of Governors, (hereafter, the Board) who report directly to them. Board of Governors Each member of the Board is appointed by a Signatory. Each Signatory has the power to appoint Members of the Board in proportion to the Signatory's contribution. The Board functions like the Board of Directors of a private corporation. They are responsible for implementing the policy of the Assembly of Signatories and overseeing management decisions. In order to accomplish the latter
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==