VIII. KEY ISSUES System studies regarding the implementation of a power generation system based on the SPS concept indicate a rather wide array of potential advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages are: (1) A potential for electrical generation costs that are competitive for terrestrial systems in the year 2000. (2) The ability to provide baseload power from an inex- haus tible source. (3) No specific sites are required and the system is essentially unconstrained by weather. (4) The power produced is easily exportable by merely reorienting the transmitting antennas and providing rectennas to the recipient. (5) It makes possible the application of existing NASA space technology capabilities to an identified and critical national need. Among the disadvantages are: (1) A great many technological, economic, and environmental uncertainties remain. (2) At some point in the relatively near future, an extremely large commitment must be made both to develop the satellite power stations and the transportation systems required and to build the large number of satellites that will be required. (3) Such a system cannot become operational without forging a large number of international agreements. (4) The large quantities of power generated and delivered may require new institutional arrangements. This section of the report focuses on the technological, economic, and environmental problems that must be resolved prior to the realization of an operable SPS system. 1. Technology Development As indicated in Section IV, there are a host of technological problems to be solved to make the SPS concept a feasible one. None of these problems seem to be insurmountable, but the three most challenging areas are: (1) transportation, (2) solar arrays, and (3) large construction
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