Space Power Volume 9 Number 1 1990

orbit could also be an important precursor, with economic and technological benefits [33]. (9) Co-products or multiple rationales for the use of space resources should be sought. For example, Logsdon has suggested that manned space exploration, for its own sake, provides the most stable rationale for a long-term national space program [34]. It is likely that a combination of purposes, including extraction of nonterrestrial materials, will cause us to return to the moon [35]. In addition to providing the initial transportation infra-structure, governments may choose to purchase locally available resources to enhance the operation of initial bases, and thus become the first customers for these materials. The same mass-driver which launches raw material for solar power satellite construction can also provide propellant for use in cis-lunar space [36], or for the exploration of the planets [37]. The 20-year-old dream of power from space can, in and of itself, provide a concrete reason to explore the space environment as a source of wealth and prosperity for this planet [38, 39]. The convergence of renewed public interest and enhanced technical ability gives us a unique opportunity to rekindle that dream. REFERENCES [1] United States Department of Energy (1980) Final Proceedings of the Solar Power Satellite Program Review, Lincoln, Nebraska, 22-25 April, CONF-800491 (Springfield, VA, NTIS). [2] National Research Council (1981) Electric power from orbit: a critique of a satellite power system, Transactions of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, July. [3] Space Research Associates (1985) Solar Power Satellite Built of Lunar Material (Princeton, NJ, Space Studies Institute). [4] Davis, Hubert, P. (1988) Solar power satellite—a revisit, Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space: proceedings of Space ’88, p. 866, (New York, ASCE). [5] McCormack, Richard (1989) MBB’s plan to stop the Earth from becoming a ‘desolate planet’, New Technology Week, 3(8), Washington, DC, 21 February. [6] Broad, William J. (1987) Soviets plan big satellites to make electricity for cities and industry, New York Times, New York, 14 June, p. CL [7] Hawley, Todd, B. (1988) Providing the power for space industrialization: prospects for a commercial industry, thesis, Faculty of the School of International Affairs of the George Washington University, Washington, DC. [8] Sarkisian, S.A. et al. (1985) Interkosmos Council, USSR Academy of Sciences, 36th IAF Congress, IAF-85-188, Stockholm, Sweden, 7-12 October. [9] Hindley, Keith (1987) Russia’s giant leap through space, The Times, August 10, p. 8. [10] NASDA Corporate Brochure 1988, NASDA Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan. [11] Mitsubishi Electric Corporate Brochure 1988, Mitsubishi Denki Building, Maru- nouchi, Tokyo 110, Japan. [12] Shimizu Corporate Brochure 1988, 16-1, Kyobashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104, Japan. [13] The Consultative Committee on Long-Term Policy Under Space Activities Commission (1987) Tokyo, Japan, 26 May. [14] Bock, Edward (1979) Lunar Resources Utilization for Space Construction,

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