LEO compared to chemical rockets. The availability of a multi-100 MW power supply enables laser rocket transfer times from LEO to GEO to be quite comparable to chemical rocket transfer times. The value of a laser space transportation system is clearly dependent upon the amount of LEO to GEO and other geocentric space traffic. If the SPS program does not proceed beyond the demonstration phase, the bulk of the geocentric traffic will be in support of geosynchronous platforms, providing the salvage value shown in Table 1.2. If the SPS program continues into an operational phase, however, the value of a laser space transportation system is substantially greater. Particularly with a continuing SPS program, the laser space transportation system appears so attractive that it is likely that it will be developed and used independent of what is done with the demonstration satellite. Many potential salvage uses of substantial value exist for full-scale SPS satellites. Their value, however, is very uncertain due to the fact that these uses occur 50 to 80 years in the future. The uses which appear to be most attractive include laser transportation systems, both space-to-space and for aircraft on oceanic routes, as a power supply to recover Amor and Apollo asteroids and, although not quantitatively evaluated, as a power supply for a high-energy, high-vacuum physics laboratory in space. It is conceivable that these uses, plus other less exciting salvage uses such as power for a space manufacturing base or space habitat, could provide sufficient demand for salvage use of an entire fleet of 60 5GW SPS satellites. The SPS rectennae will most likely all be salvaged. The salvage will include recovery of steel and aluminum which have a combined value of about $290 million (at current prices) less removal cost plus recovery of the land. Taking the removal cost to be 25 percent of value (and adding discounting) the net salvage value of
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