take care of incremental growth of our energy needs. As our powerplants would have to be replaced in the future, we would be able to supply these satellites instead of other powerplants. Senator Ford. It is my understanding that a major problem with nuclear power is reliability. We often hear in testimony about, quote, shutdowns, end of quote. How reliable would your proposed system be, and has reliability been figured in those economic comparisons of energy alternatives? Dr. Glaser. Yes, we have been very much concerned with the reliability aspects, and we have recognized that this, just as in any other space venture, needs to be carefully evaluated. We already have communications satellites which operate very reliably. For example 10 years is the design life for Intelsat-IV satellite. We expect that our reliability projections for 30 years are achievable because when we use solar cells we have a passive satellite. There are no moving parts. Senator Ford. Your proposed program plan shows the first operational satellite, I believe, coming on line about the year 2000. Would I be accurate in saying that this is a potential energy source for the 21st century and not for our current time span? Dr. Glaser. I believe that this may well be the case, because a major impact will occur after the year 2000. However, I believe, just as it took 30 years to develop nuclear power, unless we start now, we will still be presenting testimony in the year 2000. Senator Ford. If I understood you right in your prepared statement, you proposed a solar satellite development program. You indicated that Federal support would end and the commercial venture would begin in 1992, I believe, several years before the first satellite becomes operational. I doubt if that is realistic, but would you care to comment? Dr. Glaser. In our view, Federal support certainly will be essential for the first major phase, which would be completed in the mid-1980's, and most likely for portions of the prototype phase. This is an international undertaking and we would expect that various industrial organizations would be interested in investing in this particular project. We already have indication that this is the case, having discussed this possibility with various United States and other organizations. Commercialization could take place, perhaps as the utility industry tends to do in the nuclear program where the Government supports a major portion of a project but the utility industry contributes a share. Senator Ford. Do you think we have an adequate technology development program underway in the areas which you mentioned? Dr. Glaser. I am sorry, Senator. Senator Ford. Well, do you think our development program that we might have underway—are we on the right track? Are we proceeding in the direction you think we should? I am sure you would say we should accelerate, but you have to take into consideration we are talking about tax dollars. Let me just put it this way to you. What would you recommend for the fiscal year 1977 budget, as far as development in this area is concerned?
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