systems in real conditions. These data would be useful for the design of the full scale facility). The main stages of L-SPS are the design and production of all systems, the placement into orbit of a laser-solar module and the realization of the full-scale L- SPS experiment. 1. This concerns a multi-channel, on-board, solid-state laser (with a 30 MW power out put); a mass of 15 tons; a total volume of active laser medium of about Im3; and energy conversion efficiency of solar radiation to output laser radiation of 8%. 2. A concentrator of solar radiation (film construction without gas filling; an optical diameter of 600m; a mass of 50 tons). 3. Complex on board optics (a beam diameter of 2m; a mass of 10 tons). 4. A radiator and cooling system (radiator area 7,000 m2; a mass of 15 tons). 5. Other systems and reserve — 10 tons. 6. Ground based converter — photovoltaic cells. 7. Ground based system for the concentration of the laser beam received (equivalent diameter of 50 m, may be a multi-channel system). Purposes of the experiment: the integration of technologies, experience with the operation of such large-scale techniques, experience of co-operation with different consumers in different countries, data for the design and production of modules for future global space-ground laser-solar energy network. One of the most important purposes of the L-SPS module would be the first significant demonstration of a real possibility of receiving a large amount of electricity from space. The realization of this project would really persuade the public and governments to support this new global possibility of energy supply from space. We are now technologically ready to start the full-scale L-SPS experiment in 8- 10 years, but this very much depends on the financial situation. The diameter of the optics, 20 - 30 cm, for the laser “request” is sufficient up to GEO. Because of diffraction spread of the laser beam from the space module, (diffraction on the output optics of the satellite) the laser spot at the ground-based receiving station would significantly exceed the diameter of reference beam optics (in spite of phase conjugation). A large ratio of spot diameter to reference optics diameter allows us to receive laser energy of tens of space modules from one
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