0191 -9067/81/010087-15$02.00/0 Copyright ® 1981 SUNSAT Energy Council SPS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE LEWIS M. DUNCAN University of California Los Alamos National Scientific Laboratory Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 Abstract — This paper reviews the ionospheric effects and associated environmental impacts which may be produced during the construction and operation of a solar power satellite system. Propellant emissions from heavy lift-launch vehicles are predicted to cause wide spread ionospheric depletions in electron and ion densities. Collisional damping of the microwave power beam in the lower ionosphere can significantly enhance the local free electron temperatures. Thermal self-focusing of the power beam in the ionosphere may excite variations in the beam power-flux density and create large-scale field-aligned electron density irregularities. These large-scale irregularities may also trigger the formation of small-scale plasma striations. Ionospheric modifications can lead to the development of potentially serious telecommunication and climate impacts. A comprehensive research program is being conducted to understand the physical interactions driving these ionospheric effects and to determine the scope and magnitude of the associated environmental impacts. INTRODUCTION The solar power satellite (SPS) concept proposes to collect solar energy in space and microwave beam this energy to ground-based receiving antennas where it can be converted to electrical power (1). A network of these solar power satellites, each generating 5 to 10 GW of power, could make a substantial contribution toward satisfying our future energy needs. The US Department of Energy is currently directing research programs to determine the feasibility of a satellite power system. The ionosphere is frequently defined as that part of the earth's upper atmosphere where free electrons exist in sufficient numbers to affect radio-wave propagation. Numerous telecommunication systems rely on ionospheric reflections or transiono- spheric propagation as part of their communication signal path. Any system which can significantly modify the ionosphere has the potential to produce wide-ranging telecommunication interference. In addition, the role of the ionosphere in solarterrestrial coupling and climate change is just beginning to be investigated. This paper explores the potential ionospheric disturbances and associated environmental impacts accompanying the construction and operation of a solar power satellite system. Construction Impacts on the Ionosphere Construction of a system of solar power satellites requires many flights of large rockets called heavy-lift launch vehicles (HLLV) (2). Powered flights of these large
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