Many technological institutions in India and in other developing countries have expressed serious interest in the SPS, but most of them remain either noncommittal or critical of such developments because of the cost, which most of these countries cannot afford, and because of the uncertainties of its developments. Some of the scientists have expressed reservations concerning the environmental implications of the SPS project. These reservations include sabotaging and the impact of the microwave transmission on the atmosphere and health of the people. Some of the scientists feel that the energy lost near the SPS rectenna site would affect the atmosphere, and possibly even affect the weather system although these concerns are not well- foünded since we do not have sufficient data concerning 7% to 8% of waste energy which might be released at the SPS site. Recently, there have been series of discussions concerning the damage to the ozone layer due to the SPS. A U.S. Department of Energy study suggested that the effect of effluents from SPS rocket launches would be negligible and consequently the much feared “greenhouse effect” would also be marginal. On the whole, there are many uncertainties in the minds of the scientists from the Third World concerning climatic changes due to SPS developments. During the last decade there has been a heated discussion in most of the Third World countries concerning economic development through appropriate small-scale technologies or mega-large-scale technologies as pursued in the West. Most of the developing countries, being poor, cannot afford to invest heavily in large-scale technologies, benefits of which are suspected. But more importantly, their concern is directed towards centralization of the energy system, apart from the authority to man it, and make unified decisions. This, according to them, would affect the democratic process as well as people’s ability to participate in the development of their country. This concern has become so serious lately that most of the energy experts, planners, engineers, and scientists favor small-scale decentralized energy systems which can be controlled by the people at local level. Many people, interviewed in 20 countries about the benefits of the SPS, also expressed concern that the common man will not benefit from such high-technology developments. Only 12% of these experts felt positive advantages for everyone because of the large-scale availability of energy. In all developing countries the most crucial problem is that of unemployment and each project is considered in terms of its employment potential for the country. In India alone, for instance, approximately 40 million people of the employable age are unemployed and the situation is worsening each day. It does not seem likely that developing countries can find employment for these people in the SPS construction and fabrication projects. On the other hand, even though no studies have yet been done, it is assumed that some employment can be generated to build the rectenna sites. Nonetheless, it is generally agreed that once abundant and cheap energy will be available, economic development will result automatically with profound impact on the employment generation since energy input is the key determinant of economic development in any country. Many developing countries are concerned about the utilization of any technology for military purpose, especially by the United States and the Soviet Union, both being super powers. Many scientists and engineers feel that the developing nations are, directly or indirectly, controlled by these two powers, and every technological development, according to them, has contributed to their might, resulting in the erosion of power in less developed countries. Hence, most of the experts concur that the SPS planning, development, and
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