concerning the above-listed problem areas, because these are key issues of the concept and are not answered by present knowledge. Since there is no strong justification at present for establishing a dedicated organization to conduct the systematic experimental research on SPS, such studies should be linked with other research projects conducted by existing research organizations. There are two important opportunities for this attempt. Space Station Many experiments will be carried out on the Space Station, taking advantage of the increased capacity of the electrical power supply, flight period and sophisticated orbital maneuvering such as the formation flight of multiple flight facilities. Experiments to use a common facility can be linked by a project. The experimental facility proposed as Space Energetics and Environments Laboratory (SEEL) has been planned in this direction (3). The experiments to be conducted with the SEEL are as follows. Space Plasma Experiment. This is supposed to be an extension of SEPAC, a payload for Spacelab one mission, to perform active space experiments. The objective of this experiment is to study the interaction of particle beam and atmosphere and plasma wave propagation, relating to ionosphere and magnetosphere research. Spacecraft charging and neutralization can be studied in the context of this experiment. Advanced Propulsion Test. The usefulness of electric propulsion has been verified by test operations of the attitude control system of several satellite missions. The next step is to apply a larger type of test operation to a main propulsion system. The Space Station will provide a more inexpensive test for this than a ground test facility. Space Radar. This is an experiment to study the feasibility of adopting an onboard traffic radar system to detect an artificial satellite colliding with the Space Station. The requirement of a high power transmitter features this experiment. Microwave Transmission Test. This is an updated version of the MINIX which is a Japanese sounding rocket experiment. The scientific objectives are a transmission test, measurement of the heating of a simulated ionosphere and perturbation of the atmosphere and ionosphere by microwave. Thus, this experiment is most closely related to an environmental issue of the SPS. 2-Dimensionally Deployable Solar Array. This is an experiment to deploy a unique deployment mechanism which can be applied for various purposes. The deployment test cannot be conducted on the ground. Space Laser. This experiment is not well defined except that it will test a laser utilizing excitation by solar light. Although this is proposed as a purely technological test of the laser, varieties of application are conceivable. These experiments have been linked by a core facility of free-flyer type of high power generator with a solar panel which is as large as the space station project could provide. In this case the solar power plant is designed to meet the requirements of each experiment and the investigators will conduct individually disciplined studies. Still, on the whole, these experiments address the fundamental problems of the SPS.
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