The Environmental Benefits of Solar Power Satellites RAYMOND S. LEONARD SUMMARY The environmental issues associated with satellite power systems can be placed in two categories. The first is the environmental impact that either the building or operation of satellite power systems will have on the Earth. The second is the degree to which the environmental impact of technical civilization is lessened or attenuated by substituting electric power from space for electric power from coal, oil and nuclear power plants. This paper is a discussion of the environmental credits which can be attributed to using electricity provided by solar power satellites. Introduction Modern man has added the scourge of environmental pollution to the four great biblical plagues which beset mankind. Pollution has become a global problem and the search for solutions an international quest. It is a quest with the moral challenge of creating an infrastructure for sustainable and equitable global economic development. This quest and challenge presents the proponents of satellite power systems (SPS) with unique opportunity. Can we, the proponents of this technology, justify energy from space as a component of sustainable development? If we can and are also able to demonstrate that it is economical then we will have the justification for a program and the opportunity to build power satellites. Using the resources of space to meet the dual challenges of energy and the environment provides us with a way to appeal to the youth of the world who seek nourishment in dreams, as well as in bread (Pollock, 1980). The enthusiasm of our children is not enough. We also need the support of the taxpayers and the politicians. For the taxpayer we must establish the linkage between energy from space, the quality of the environment, and what he wants from life. In order to the win the support of the politician we must demonstrate it is relevant, cost effective and will make public heros out of the politicians who support the concept of energy from space. Emissions such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide from thermal power plants which burn coal, oil and LPG contribute to long term global environmental damage. While the issue of global warming is still being hotly debated there remains little doubt about how acid rain is created and what its effect on the biosphere is. The most obvious solution is a reduction in the use of fossil fuels for power generation. But what then are our options? President, Ad Astra, Ltd., Rt. 1, Box 92 LL, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.
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