0191-9067/81/010197-01 $02.00/0 Copyright ' 1981 SUNSAT Energy Council SYNTHESIS OF THE FINAL SPS PANEL The final panel was chaired by Dr. P. E. Glaser assisted by the following panel members: R. Mayur, B. Chatel, B. Tilgner, and A. Lebeau. Among the outstanding points which were discussed, it was important to note the remark made by R. Mayur speaking on behalf of all underdeveloped countries: it concerned the way the underdeveloped countries would profit if the major nations collaborated on such a project that necessarily belonged to the industrialized world. Mr. Mayur insisted on the fact that the essential purpose of such a symposium was to internationalize a project born in the USA, and which has been developed exclusively there for the past ten years. In the hypothesis that this project be brought to a concrete form within the next twenty years, there would be a contradiction if only countries having financially supported its realization were sharing the available energy. However, even if only the industrialized countries were using this energy, it was noted that the other sources of energy would be made more available for the underdeveloped nations. This point was worth being noted and duly written in the SPS acts, hoping that, in twenty years, the responsible members of the project have an opportunity to read them. Another point was raised by Mr. Lebeau: why does the man in the street usually reject such a project? Mr. Lebeau’s answer, which was confirmed by many other participants, was that gigantic projects of this kind were always rejected. The man in the street thinks that the influence he may have — already small in an automated and computerized society — is becoming null when a project reached the extent that only international cooperation could make it operational. Incidentally, haven’t we all had a similar thought the first time we heard of it? This is how Mr. Lebeau explained the item, published in Le Monde the day before the symposium, regretting, however, the style which was used. Finally, the third point raised at this panel concerned the necessity of having such meetings every two years, if every year was not possible. The man in the street has to be convinced and the project adapted to the new technologies coming out every day. These meetings must have, as this one, an international character because beyond the enormous demand for sophisticated technologies that such a project requires, only comparison between various points of view will allow an acceptable solution for all, economically speaking. Whatever opinions are held at this time, it is not yet possible to reject this project. Within reasonable proportions, its gigantism is not disproportionate in regard to the Apollo program, when it was presented for the first time in the sixties. It succeeded. Why then should not the SPS be a success in twenty years? Marc Pelegrin Director, CERT Toulouse, France
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