I. INTRODUCTION Over the past several years there has been a growing interest in the possibility of using space and space technology to provide significant quantities of energy for utilization on earth. This interest has been made manifest in a number of studies conducted largely, and appropriately, under the auspices of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Attention has centered about a satellite power station concept in which electrical energy from solar or nuclear power plants is generated in earth orbit and then transmitted to the ground by microwave beams. To the extent that this approach can effectively contribute to the solution of the energy problem, it is of interest to the Energy Research and Development Administration and should become a part of ERDA's national energy research, development and demonstration program. The Task Group on Satellite Power Stations was formed within ERDA to investigate this potential energy source and to make recommendations to the Administrator regarding future program options. This report was prepared to assist the Task Group in discharging that responsibility. It is basically a review and summary of available documentation as listed in the bibliography. In some instances, previously published results were extended by independent analyses to more clearly illuminate the underlying issues. These analyses were conducted primarily in the areas of economics and energy balance. The overall organization and content of this report is described in the following paragraphs . The basic thrust of the NASA program related to satellite power stations is described in Section II. The major satellite power station concepts themselves are summarized in Section III. This section also includes a description of related orbital reflective systems and supporting terrestrial facilities. Section IV deals with the technological status and requirements of six SPS developmental areas. It is recognized by most researchers that a successful SPS program will require (1) new launch and orbit transfer
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