[The following was received to be included in the record:] Space-Based Power for Earth: A Commentary BY JERRY GREY, ADMINISTRATOR, PUBLIC POLICY, AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS On January 19th and 21st, 1976, the Subcommittee conducted hearings on the subject of space-based power for earth. Implicit in the testimony presented at the hearings were several considerations which could be of some national significance in the years to come. This summary statement will not attempt to give an overview of the testimony presented, but rather to identify and discuss its implications. (1) It was clear from the testimony of Dr. Peter E. Glaser, Mr. Richard W. Taylor, Professor Gerard K. O'Neill, Dr. William B. Lenoir, and Dr. Edward J. Greenblat that there are a number of potentially viable options in the technical approach to these systems, and that it is far too early to close out any of them by concentrating on a single approach at this time. Further, since many of the features of the various systems are identical or similar; e.g., microwave power transmission technology and the assembling of large structures in space, the maintenance of all system options through at least the first phase of ground- based technology development would appear to be proper. (2) The programmatic approach to technical, economic, sociological, and political evaluation of the space-based power system concept has been properly outlined (e.g., see Dr. Lenoir's statement), the principal problems for initial scrutiny have been defined, and sufficient “zeroth phase” study effort has already been performed to warrant formal program implementation. However, there continues to be an evident reluctance to accept the potential for eventual practicality of the concept, not only by laymen, which is not surprising in view of the system scale contemplated, but also by the agency which has been specifically charged with the exploration of energy choices for the future: ERDA. It was extremely encouraging, therefore, to note that Dr. John Teem, in his testimony on January 21st, indicated for the first time ERDA's intention to “give (satellite power systems) full consideration within the priorities of our overall solar energy program”. There are, however, two factors which tend to tarnish this promise somewhat. First, as I will comment further on later in this statement, ERDA has identified no FY 1977 budget for the satellite power concept, and since the Administration has concluded that NASA shall receive no direct funding for energy R&D, there appears to be no FY 1977 funding available for an SSPS program. Second, Dr. Teem resigned from ERDA subsequent to the January 21st hearing, and his position as ERDA's Assistant Administrator for Solar, Geothermal, and Advanced Energy Systems has been assumed (on an acting basis) by Robert L. Hirsch, a dedicated proponent of nuclear fusion. It will be interesting to see how much relative research emphasis will be given in future years to satellite solar power systems, which could be competitive with nuclear fusion in the same time frame, and which have far less uncertainty than fusion in both technical feasibility and projected system costs. (3) The utilization of the space shuttle, which will begin in a few years, will resume the operational space capability which has already been demonstrated by Apollo, by Skylab, and by Apollo-Soyuz. More important, however, the shuttle will improve our space operations capability by perhaps a factor of ten over that which has been available previously, and substantial further improvements are almost certain as we gain operational experience in space manufacturing and materials handling processes. This type of capability represents the principal rationale for space-based powerplants: removal of all the complex structural, assembly, and fuel supply problems of a large powerplant from the earth's surface (where gravity, climate, variable weather, limited heat-sink availability, and proximity to concerned local communities make operations difficult) to space, where solutions will clearly be shown in the next decade or so to be much, much easier. Prospects for moon-based material supply systems, as O'Neill suggests, and earth-based supply lines can be explored in parallel, since it is far too early to select either mode in preference to the other at this time. In any event, though, in-space construction and assembly of solar power or relay stations is evidently the key to the eventual viability of such stations. Our familiarity with these operations is clearly in its infancy, but the above-mentioned rapid growth will begin as soon as the shuttle becomes operational.
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