A general point of particular concern for a potential introduction of SPS to Europe is the development of future electricity demand in that area. Our problem was, that no consistent forecasts could be found for W. Europe from now up to the time around the year 2030. Only a range of predictions were available for the EC up to the year 2000. So we made several approaches to get an idea of a possible development, to have a reference for further investigations within our study (Figure 5). Since the geosynchronous orbit already has become a narrow resource and if it should be selected for SPS positioning, the spacing within the W. European GEO portion is of importance. Figure 6 shows in principle the theoretical number of SPS for that area. This number would actually be reduced by requirements of other GEO services of W. Europe and of course of all other countries which are located within the same longitude range. Another point of interest in our study was the fact that a European participation in an SPS programme would require substantial new organisational forms. Figure 7 illustrates one potential way to establish an SPS organisation by evolution. The last complex of European aspects we investigated was the potential of W. European industries to become involved into a future SPS programme. We found a lot of activities of which experiences could be utilised. Major advancements were identified with: 1. solar energy conversion, 2. DC power distribution, 3. attitude and orbit control, 4. support subsystems, and 5. personnel launch vehicle system. PROGRAMME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EUROPEAN SPS ACTIVITIES Summarising the differences between a potential European and US application of SPS, we found out that the problems would be slightly harder for Europe, but no aspect was so severe that any further investigations in Europe should be suppressed. So we made proposals for a near term and a medium term study programme, where, in particular, the European aspects should be investigated very thoroughly to reach preparedness for a decision whether to continue the SPS efforts or not. Figure 8 illustrates the recommendation for a near term study programme. The time frame appears to be very narrow but might be necessary to join the second official phase with the USA. These proposals are based on the assumption that W. Europe would not start an SPS development being totally independent from US efforts. It appears to be more reasonable that the high development costs for such a project would force the USA and Europe to start a joint enterprise. Figure 9 shows how the three major assessment tasks could lead to a “European SPS Utilisation Evaluation Report” by the end of 1980 with a total amount of 9.75 to 13.5 man-years. The first major assessment task is the "Orbital Restriction Analysis.” In this analysis, first, all potential legal implications and all technical problems concerning the geosynchronous orbit as a position of European SPS must be investigated. In a second step alternative orbits and alternative SPS concepts must be analysed which could be better suited for a European application. The results of these four studies should lead to the "Orbital Restrictions Evaluation Report.” The second major assessment task, the "Ground Station Systems Analysis” is much more complex by its nature, so it was divided into three parts.
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