FIGURE 3.9 LEO TO GEO TRAFFIC GROWTH Since the laser SPS configuration is presently under consideration, it would appear an interesting option to include a laser power transmitter on the demonstration satellite such that demonstration tests for both the microwave and laser SPS configurations could be performed with the demonstration satellite and such that, upon completion of these tests, the satellite could be easily converted to use as a power supply and laser power transmitter for a laser space transportation system. These arguments are reinforced by the fact that the benefits of a laser space transportation system are of sufficient magnitude to warrant its development even if an SPS demonstration satellite is not constructed. Since the benefits of a laser space transportation system are likely to exceed the costs of the SPS demonstration, the salvage value of the demonstration satellite in this use is equal to the present value of a power supply for a laser space transportation system, discounted from the initial date of operation of the laser space transportation system to the initial operation date of the SPS demonstration satellite. If this time period is very short, the salvage value of the demonstration satellite becomes approximately equal to the cost of the demonstration program less the cost of the microwave transmitting antenna and associated systems. These equipments, however, could be salvaged for use on the first full-scale SPS satellite,
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