efforts to find a “show stopper,” no reason has yet come to light for concluding that the SPS could not be built or operated successfully. Indeed, there is growing confidence in the technical community that, given the resources for the task, the SPS could be built and would work. The challenge is to determine how well it would work, for how long, with what societal impacts, at what cost, and whether it represents a sufficiently attractive long-term energy supply option when compared with alternative energy technologies to warrant development. Although there are indications that the environmental impacts of the SPS may be less severe than those associated with other energy technologies, questions have been raised pertaining to low-level micro wave effects, land use, and effects of the space transportation system on the upper atmosphere. These must be answered to the satisfaction of the societies the SPS will serve. The DOE/NASA SPS concept evaluation and development program is unique because the SPS is the first major energy technology where environmental, economic, and societal issues are being critically examined prior to proceeding with its development. The views and opinions expressed both in support and opposition of the SPS concept represent widely differing philosophies and ideological beliefs. Issues such as the environment and health impacts of coal and nuclear power, the roles of distributed and centralized technologies, participatory democracy, accountability of industry and government, the price and availability of fossil fuels, and international cooperation will influence the future course of SPS development. We must recognize not only the obstacles facing this endeavor, but also the rewards of providing power from space for an increasingly energy hungry world. I am confident we can achieve this goal through united efforts.
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