Major international projects can be characterized by large budgets (billions of dollars magnitude) and long duration for completion as well as complex planning procedures. These factors, combined with the large number of individuals associated with the realization of the project complicates its management. The most likely risk associated with this combination of factors is a realization delay. The impact of a realization delay on an investment is to be considered seriously by any potential investor. A Space Solar Power Program would likely be associated with that risk. The second risk, underestimation of realization costs, is a generalized characteristic also observed in major international projects. Basically, the delay factors presented in this chapter apply to cost estimation. Considering the complex planning procedure, budget underestimation is to be seriously considered. Space transportation, solar cells and orbital construction, and rectenna building can be pinpointed as the major sources of costs relative to the realization of the Space Solar Power Program Considering the magnitude of the potential investment associated with the realization of those elements, a financial risk factor should also be considered. Political Risk Political risk addresses the complexity of large international cooperation and the potential for disagreement in the realization of a long term, high cost, and highly innovative program. The first element to be considered is the site selected for the beaming experiment. Antarctica represents a protected land. A treaty and moratorium signed by over thirty countries dictates that any exploitation of resources present in Antarctica is forbidden. Any activity which would threaten the Antarctic environment or which could be considered as “for-profit” cannot be initiated. A second aspect which should be considered on a political point of view is the political threat or public unpopularity associated with the building of the rectenna in Antarctica. Considering the fact that Antarctica has been specifically selected as the site for the space to Earth demonstration to prove its environmental safety, the potential damaging effects of rectenna construction could generate public disapproval and compromise Space Solar Power Program long term public support. Public funds are essential in the first phase of the program, and therefore public support is essential to the Space Solar Power Program development. In a more long term perspective, political concerns could be addressed regarding the considerable amount of public money needed in the different phases of the SPS program. The difficulty encountered by space programs in obtaining public funds, and general trends to diminish public expenses for space program realization indicate that obtaining government funding for another major space program will be difficult. Another element associated with public funding and which should be considered as a risk source is the yearly space project budget allocation. In countries like the United States of America, which can be considered as a major partner in international project realization, the public budget allocated to agencies' projects participation is reevaluated and allocated yearly on the base of political and social priorities. So, each year the project's budget must be defended and it is possible that the project could be canceled at any moment. Withdrawal of a major partner like the USA can compromise the achievement of the Space Solar Power Program. Considering the international nature of the Space Solar Power Program, withdrawal of one of the participating countries can be considered as a threat for the realization of the program or at least as a source of delay. Considering that in an international program realization each country's contribution is often related to its unique field of specialty, withdrawal can mean that a specific technology or system will not be available. Technology transfer could be another source of financial risk. Considering again the international nature of the Space Solar Power Program and the necessity to share some technology, restrictive policies to the exchange of industrial techniques could become a threat to the participation of certain countries in that specific project. Finally, a less considerable but still possible source of risk is the possibility of a terrorist attack against the Space Solar Power Program structures. The large size of the predicted Space Solar Power Program systems in terrestrial orbit and their proximity to Earth could turn out to be a risk source. Environmental Risk Environment financial risk is associated with public support. Today the environmental factor is one of the most important social concerns. Related to that observation, any aspect of the Space Solar
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