The Soviet Union appears to have its own space solar power program [6]. Although details of the Soviet program are scarce, occasional hints have come from such sources as Radio Moscow [7] and IAF Papers [8]. It is clear that the new Energia heavy lift vehicle gives the Soviets an enormous capability for space construction, which could lead to their own power satellite program [9], At present, the most direct interest in space solar power can be found in Japan. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in its 1988 brochure says, “Untapped resources and energy in space open many possibilities for use by mankind” [10], The Space Activities brochure of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation says, “Solar energy is the most expected energy resource of the future and we are presently studying a solar power satellite to make use of this indispensable energy” [11]. The Shimizu Construction Company lists solar power satellites as one of its areas of interest in its corporate brochure, and depicts a lunar base launching raw materials for space construction using an electromagnetic mass-driver [12]. The report of the Consultative Committee on long-term policy under the Space Activities Commission says, Exploring Resources and Energy in Space: Since resources of space should become the common estate of mankind, it is necessary for Japan to pursue the possibility of space resource utilization, considering the possibility of taking part in future development. In support of this, exploration of the moon and planets will be promoted based on the preparation of the space infrastructure. Furthermore, to conduct space activities on a large scale, research and development on efficient utilization of solar energy like solar electricity generation will be promoted. At the same time, fundamental studies will be conducted on larger-scale solar energy utilization such as a space power plant. [13] The Use of Nonterrestrial Materials for Solar Power Satellites New technical realizations about SPS construction are just as important as the previously described political developments in favor of space power. Two excellent studies were performed during the NASA/DOE evaluation of the solar power satellite concept [14, 15], At the time, these were considered alternatives to the baseline scenario and were given relatively little attention in the 1980 conclusions. However, the concept of using nonterrestrial materials for construction of space projects has gained growing acceptance as a result of work by NASA and the privately-funded Space Studies Institute (SSI). The report of the President’s National Commission on Space strongly endorsed the development of techniques to use resources from the moon and other accessible locations for space construction [16]. Astronaut Sally Ride’s internal report on future USA space program options referred to the use of materials already in space for space projects as ‘Living off the Land’ [17, see also 18]. Furthermore, the new NASA Office of Exploration, in its 1989 report ‘Beyond Earth’s Boundaries’, discusses the use of these resources for future space projects [19]. These advisory reports are beginning to find space policy foundations in such pronouncements as President Reagan’s space policy message of 1988, which endorsed the use of space shuttle external tanks [20], and the Space Settlement Act of 1988, appended to the NASA Authorization Bill, which specifically discusses the use of energy and material resources in space [21]. Another indication of the growing acceptance of the use of nonterrestrial materials was the inaugural session of International Space University (conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the
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