4 Political, Social, and Legal Issues Public Concern I Perception: Does the public perceive a need for beamed power? There could be a major gap between the short and long term energy source availability and the public perception of the problem. The individual might not even be aware of the inaeasing energy demand of the world. This could be due to the fact that people do not see the connection between personal energy consumption and the energy demand for society as a whole. As long as there is no immediate lack of energy, the public might not realize that there is a need for developing new and alternative energy sources. Because of high total costs for a SSPP, the public perception issue is important both for the near and long term applications. What kind of resistance will there be to beamed power? The use of beamed power is likely to provoke resistance from environmentalists, political groups, nations, etc. In order to carry out a SSPP, and especially, a large scale SSPP, it is important to be aware of the possible objection to the project. The present design concepts for a SSPP involve space power stations visible from earth and large rectennas on the ground. The obvious aesthetic impact of these structures is one of several issues that will affect the public's view of a SSPP. In terms of nonterrestrial aesthetic impact, will the creation of “new heavenly objects” be accepted by the public? Massive opposition to a SSPP could ultimately prevent the development and implementation of a SSPP. How can the public be informed about a SSPP and its possible side effects? There is a need for information when implementing new technology. The use of beamed power from space will ultimately depend on the acceptance from the public. Therefore, choices on what type of information, how it is distributed, and to whom, is of vital importance to the degree of public support. These issues are in turn connected to the assessment of perceived personal and societal benefits compared to the problems associated with beamed power. Control of Operations If we consider a SPS as an instrument that transmits energy from space to a spot on the ground, then a SPS could be used as a weapon. One condition for public acceptance of a SPS may be that we assure the public that the beam density doesn't exceed some critical value and that the beam cannot be turned outside a rectenna intentionally. When a SPS is considered as a power plant, the power capability, supply, and price are important factors for the public. In this program, the evaluation of two points will be examined. The above considerations will make it difficult to choose the manager of this model. In addition to the questions raised above for the short term, there are some long term questions that have to be considered for large scale applications of Solar Space Power. One of the most important questions in this context is the question of how the whole project should be organized. International cooperation, and how this cooperation will be assured, must address the different interests and the various political standpoints of the different countries that would like to participate. Apportionment of Costs and Benefits One of the main questions regarding the potential future use of a SSPP, not only from an economic, but also political point of view, will concern the apportionment of the costs and benefits of a SSPP. In this respect, both in the early development phase (demonstration projects) and later on when large scale solar power plants are going to be considered, the problem of how to finance the project will have to be solved. Specifically, the following questions will have to be addressed: a. Who will invest in technology demonstration projects and early commercial SPS systems? The SPS program is a very innovative and expensive project which will require not only funding from the usual sources, such as government, but also commercial sources. Consequently, market studies will have to be conducted at a very early stage for funding from electric and power utilities, communications spacecraft companies, resource manufacturing companies, and others.
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