Senator Ford. Glad you got down to a terminology I could understand— “longjohns.” [Laughter.] Mr. Taylor, Powersat differs from Dr. Glaser's proposal in that Powersat is in essence a heliostat in orbit while Dr. Glaser's version is a solar cell powerplant in orbit, am I correct? Mr. Taylor. Yes, sir. Senator Ford. But both of you would send power to Earth in the same way? Mr. Taylor. Yes, sir. Senator Ford. Is Powersat a potential energy source for the rest of the 20th century, or should we view it as making a contribution in the 21st century? Mr. Taylor. In the 21st. I think that at least the direction we are headed, it is likely to be in the first quarter of the 21st century, before you can count on this as a means of electrical energy. Senator Ford. Of course, I am comparing two witnesses now, and I hope that you will understand why—but Dr. Glaser said within his prepared statement, and I quote, “Within 10 kilometers from the beam center, the microwave power density will meet the lowest international standards for continued exposures to microwaves.” But you said—and I quote—“The RF field strength below these antennas would be less than the current U.S. public safety standard of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.” He seems to be saying that you can safety get -within 10 kilometers of the beam center—you say it is safe to get directly under the beam. Would you explain the differences? Mr. Taylor. The international standard to which he referred, I think is different than the U.S. standard. I believe that what I intended to say is that at the periphery, out here beyond the antenna, where you would not be protected by being under the antenna, we would meet the U.S. standard that you quoted there. Senator Ford. You also indicated that crops could be grown, the Earth could be used under this antenna—apparently there wouldn't be anything there to prevent that. That means that rain or the Sun could penetrate. If you want to elaborate on that a little bit, I would appreciate it. Mr. Nansen. Yes. I think the question that you asked Dr. Glaser was—if you were in the center of the beam and exposed to the full beam, and we would concur in what he says. But under the antenna— the antenna, of course, absorbs by far the majority of the microwave energy, so that if the antenna is raised, then what filters through is at a pretty low level. And the arrangement of the antenna can be such that it would be porous to allow sunlight to penetrate it—and, of course, it is set kind of like snow fences, at an angle, so that there are gaps between. Senator Ford. Of course, one of the important questions is on the projected cost. And I recognize—and as you stated, I think—that you cannot accurately predict the cost of Powersat. And this subcommittee would not presume to make a final judgment on these concepts this early in the game, even if you gave us numbers. But if we are going to put research money into this area, we ought to be confident that we are in the ball park, economically speaking. Just how confident is Boeing about this Powersat concept?
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