Space Solar Power Review Vol 12 Num 1&2. 1993

At the beginning of the pilot phase an orbital spaceport and a fleet of orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) shall be installed. This phase ends with the construction of a 1 GW Pilot power station. Figure 1 shows that about 3200 Mg payload per year has to be transported by the end of the pilot phase. Assuming an HLLV with a payload capacity of 50 Mg the cargo transport demands 60 - 70 launches per year. This scenario requires progressive technology for transportation systems and special attention to the environmental impacts. However, the transportation scenario of this phase is feasible using conventional technologies for construction of the heavy-lift vehicle. The personnel launch vehicle might be an advanced shuttle system like Space Shuttle II or Saenger. Problems concerning logistics are not expected. The relevant problems arise in the operational phase. Figure 1 shows the structure of this phase in connection with the payload to be transported. The time schedule for installation of the orbital infrastructure and demonstration stations seems to be sensible. The parallel installation of infrastructure and the first power stations benefits a flexible reaction to unforeseen changes. For further considerations concerning transportation systems, the mass production phase from 2018 is being regarded as the reference, because by then a large number of pay loads will be needed, leading to about 4000 launches per year. In addition to the technological problems, the ecological aspects are especially significant. Moreover, economics and logistics problems will be considered. In order to provide the

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==