for economical superiority. High reliability and quality of electricity are not mandatory. In this respect, this model can be used for isolated customers at many different sites in developing nations in the equatorial zone. To prepare for evolution of the system, some of the rectennas will be designed as future key rectenna sites. It is desirable for such a station to be provided with growth capability of the rectenna size and a longer distance from neighboring rectennas for higher orbit operation. Such a rectenna will be useful for testing the first flight unit, whose microwave beam width is three times larger than that of a complete unit, so that power transmission tests will be performed more effectively with a larger rectenna. Various types of rectenna can be designed for SPS 2000 independently from the orbital segment. More detailed discussions by other authors are expected [7 and 8], Evolution capability This system will be flexible and evolutionary in several ways. Firstly, it can be operated while incomplete during construction as described. It will also be possible to increase the power output by adding extra flight modules. The technologies for this capability will be common to those required to maintain the orbital system. Accumulated experiences of the orbital operation will be valuable. Secondly, multiple orbital power stations can be built and operated. A series of units in the same orbit could be coordinated to supply power for longer periods. This is the simplest way to increase electrical energy received at a rectenna without additional investment in the ground segment. If the orbital altitude is 1000 km, the maximum number of SPSs is thirty three and then all the rectennas can receive the nominal power from space almost constantly from early morning to early evening every day. In the future, if advanced space technology such as electrodynamic plasma motor is available, it will be possible to move the SPS up to a higher orbit, which allows a rectenna to receive a larger portion of the electricity generated in an orbital period due to the longer visible time. Some coordination between rectennas will be necessary due to overlapping of the expanded operational area of each rectenna. Increase of the sizes of the transmitting antenna or rectennas will be required. If a rectenna diameter is 10 km as in the case of the Reference System, the present SPS 2000 can be operated approximately three times as high as the original orbital height. The key technology developed for this system can be applied later to such larger systems as the Reference System. The rectennas for this early model can be designed to take more service from the more advanced system evolving from the smallest model. The quality of the electricity will be improved by adding energy storage systems to rectennas.
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