Fig. 5. Assessment organization detailed studies will be reported (upper tier) and summarized in four assessment reports (second tier). These summaries will be assembled in a final assessment report that will provide a basis for future program recommendations. This organization of information will provide traceability to source documents for all findings. Should the government decide to proceed, a plan for a Ground Based Exploratory Development program will be forthcoming. Organization of functions The functional organization to achieve the CDEP objectives is shown in Fig. 5. Because the SPS is an energy option, the assessment program is being managed by the DOE through the Office of Energy Research which includes the SPS Project Office. A close partnership with NASA is maintained. Systems Definition defines the Reference System for which the assessment is being made. In addition, the impact of emerging related technologies is evaluated, and the required critical supporting investigations are conducted. Environmental Assessment includes the effects of (1) microwaves on health and ecology, (2) other (non-microwave) impacts on health and ecology, (3) launch and orbit transfer vehicles and the rectenna on the atmosphere, (4) ionospheric disruptions by SPS microwave beam heating or by reactions with launch vehicle effluents on telecommunications, and (5) direct coupling of SPS microwave energy with electromagnetic systems. Societal Assessment deals with resources (land, material, and energy), institutions (government, utilities, and financial), international aspects (agreements, organizations, and military implications), and society (public acceptance and centralization issues). Comparative Assessment contrasts SPS with future energy alternatives, including coal, nuclear, and terrestrial solar energy systems, on the bases of feasibility, cost, performance, and environmental and societal impacts. Planning and Analysis provides for programming, monitoring, and evaluating the CDEP. The key organizations supporting the CDEP are listed below:
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