Senator Ford. Thank you, Doctor. Of course, we have read your advance statement and there will be some questions regarding that, but, Doctor, let me ask you this—you talked about the bottom line, I want to talk about the first line. You laid down some ground rules for decisionmaking, I think, in this concept—and I want to be sure that I, as chairman of the subcommittee, and we, as the full committee, understand them. Let me see if I interpret this right. One extreme is if the project would be economically attractive at today's prices, then there is little doubt that we would go ahead and develop it, is that correct? Dr. Greenblat. That would be economically justified. Senator Ford. The other extreme is, if you foresee no realistic situation in which the system would make economic sense, then we should stop all development on it now, and the solar power relay idea falls into that category. Dr. Greenblat. So long as we are restricting transmissions to the continental United States. But let me say, Mr. Chairman, we have looked at one concept only. Now, other concepts are being put forward, so I would say based upon the concept that we have studied. Dr. Heiss. In answer to your question, I would say absolutely yes. If we don't see anything in the future, even by 1995, now, then we would recommend to terminate any effort in solar power stations. Senator Ford. I want to tell you, that is the firmest answer I have ever heard from an economic forecaster. [Laughter.] Dr. Heiss. Absolutely. I am not saying we found that, but if we found that, that would be our recommendation, no questions asked. Dr. Greenblat. Mr. Chairman, may I clarify something? You were asking about the power relay satellite. You said that our conclusion was that the power relay satellite was not economically justifiable. Dr. Heiss. No, the question was from the chairman that----- Senator Ford. You fellows decide what I said out there and then answer the question. Dr. Heiss. I think the question was that if we didn't foresee any conditions economically where any of these concepts made sense, what would we recommend? And if we found that, then we would recommend to terminate any efforts in it, even research. Senator Ford. That was the general question. Dr. Heiss. That we did not find, but if we found it, that is what we would recommend. Dr. Greenblat. I agree -with that, Mr. Chairman. Senator Ford. Well, I think it applies to your power relay satellite as well as in the rest of them. Dr. Heiss. That is right. Senator Ford. You found solar power satellites, I think, in the middle category—it may be economically attractive in the future, but we should take a closer look—I believe that is a correct statement. Dr. Greenblat. Yes. Senator Ford. A lot of people will think that is what we term around here a bureacratic answer. Can't you economists do any better than that?
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