—ISRAEL Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics —IEEE—French Section —UNIPEDE —Asociation Internationale FUTURIBLES —COFEDES—Cooperation Framjaise pour 1’Etude et le Developpement de 1’Energie Solaire Objectives and General Topics The path to making power from space available to mankind is long and difficult, but for that very reason it is necessary to begin now. Since the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) concept was first proposed by Peter Glaser in 1968, the only major research and analysis activity has been a three-year feasibility study supported by the US Department of Energy and NASA in 1977-79. Today, a decade later, several individuals and small research groups are still working towards developing a future for this promising concept. Also, recent technology advancements associated with the international space station Freedom, the US Strategic Defense Initiative and other current space programmes have improved the feasibility prospects for SPS concepts that in the past were often speculative. The SEE, which is the leading French association of professional engineers in the field of electric power and communications, has created a permanent Committee on Electric Power and Space. This Committee concerns itself with the present and future production, storage, conversion and transmission of power and energy in space aboard and between present spacecraft, near-future space stations, and future large orbiting power systems for both space and terrestrial utilization. As part of this Committee’s contribution to the generation and communication of ideas on SPS, the SEE will organize and operate an International Symposium in France every five years to assess the state-of-the- art of technologies needed to build and operate an SPS, to promote research on new SPS concepts, to evaluate the associated environmental and societal issues, and, in general, to promote interest in the SPS concept. The SPS 91—Power from Space Symposium will build on and extend the information base established by the Solar Power Satellites Symposium organized by the SEE in PARIS 5-6 June 1986 Topics Covered: 1. SPS Technology Status —launchers, space stations, large space structures; — the evolution of the space infrastructure to support SPS development; — energy production and conversion in space; — energy transmission; 2. Use of Extraterrestrial Materials —Solar power satellites; —Lunar power stations; —Lunar -'He prospects; 3. Global Energy Issue: —energy demand projections to 2100; — energy market for SPS; — comparison of SPS performance and socio-economic benefits with other advanced power generation options; — global warming mitigation; 4. Environmental Issues —launcher impacts (effluents, safety); —beamed power effects on communications, atmosphere, wildlife and population; —competition for geostationary orbit occupation. 5. SPS Development and Implementation — demonstration projects; — SPS growth rate; — economic issues; — costs and risks versus benefit;
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