MULTINATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS There does not appear to be a high probability for unilateral development of an SPS system. The demand would probably not be sufficient; the international concerns would be difficult to resolve, and the costs would be excessive. A multilateral program, on the other hand, (a) shares costs and risks, (b) brings in a global market, including the expanding needs of the developing nations, (c) avoids many political problems, and (d) enhances global unity. There are a number of existing models for international space consortia, both public and private; e.g., INTELSAT, INMARSAT, INTERSPUTNIK, EUROSAT, ARABSAT, the WMO meteorological satellite service, etc. It would appear appropriate to consider an “INSUNSAT,” for example. RECOMMENDATIONS An international study team should be created, whether in the UN or not, with composite funding from all participants. Its tasks should be (1) Evaluation of projected global power demand and power mix; (2) Evaluation of potential global or regional organizational models; (3) Review of technology, covering all alternative SPS technical options; (4) Identification of a multinational research and technology effort utilizing the unique and specific strengths of all countries involved in the study; (5) Recommendation of a specific research program based on the above.
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