power distribution system consisting of switchgear and converters; conductors and insulation; structure; a microwave power transmission system including waveguides and klystrons for converting DC to RF energy; a structure system comprised of aluminum and graphite fiber reinforced thermal plastic and an information management system. The components, subsystems and systems are designed such that 5 GW of power are delivered at the utility interface. To accomplish this in an economic manner, certain systems are designed to achieve a life of 30 years (for example, the graphite structure), whereas other systems may achieve shorter useful lives and must be maintained and/or replaced periodically during the 30 year life of the full-scale satellite (for example, the klystrons will be replaced at ten year intervals). It is obvious that such a complex system will not completely deteriorate instantaneously at the end of 30 years but will continue to function in a degrading fashion for some time beyond its design life. Thus certain systems may be salvageable for use in other full-scale SPS operational satellites or a full-scale satellite may continue to be utilized beyond its 30 year nominal life. The actual life, including specific maintenance/replacement policies, will be determined as a result of the overall system economics, evolving design and design philosophy, and operational procedures all of which have been considered in insufficient detail at this time to specifically establish which components/subsystem/system mainte- * nance/repair procedures and policies will be accomplished and which com- ponents/subsystems/systems will be economically salvageable. * It should be noted that these policies and procedures will be a function of technology and improvements in reliability. For example, if klystrons have a ten-year life, then they will be replaced twice and have little salvage value at the end of 30 years. If, however, klystrons achieve a 14-year life, the SPS satellite may have a 28-year life with one klystron replacement, or it may have a 30-year life with economically salvageable klystrons (for other SPS satellites).
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