this gap (mainly for the production of electricity) in Europe? I can only see three major candidates which could produce base-load electricity on a large scale: Fast breeder reactors, fusion reactors and power satellites. All three are based on practically inexhaustible primary energy sources, but they are also, as everybody knows, controversial with respect to their potential environmental, economic and social impacts. Whereas the nuclear options are being studied in depth in Europe and these studies are being supported with hundreds of millions of dollars by European governments, the space option is nearly ignored despite its enormous potential. The funding of studies of the technical requirements and potential impacts of the SPS is almost zero although many energy R&D planners call for intensive study of all options in sufficient depth. AVAILABILITY OF ORBITAL SLOTS Figure 2 shows an approximate distribution diagram for satellites in geostationary orbit — both those already launched and those planned. One concern of European planners is that those segments of the orbit where European power satellites could best be placed (between 24 degrees west and 30 degrees east longitude) will also be needed to accommodate communication satellites and that power satellites would interfere with these satellites and hence the communication needs of Europe. Early studies must therefore show whether the geostationary orbit requirements of a system of power satellites are compatible with future orbital separation regulations and the communication scenario of Europe and other countries at the same longitudes. RECEIVING SITES ON GROUND Another concern is the availability of land for rectennas. Figure 3 shows industrial centres in Europe with power consumptions higher than 3 GW each (3). Consid-
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