contrast, have the least to contribute and the most to gain. However, a clearer view of a possible arrangement is provided by the example of INTELSAT, the international satellite communications organization founded in 1964. Since its inception, INTELSAT has grown from a cooperative of 11 interested countries to a total in 1980 of 102 members. The successful functioning of the organization is based upon each member holding “an investment share based upon its use of the system (subject to a minimum share of 0.15 percent).” The revenues of the system are derived from utilization charges and, after the deduction of operating costs, are distributed to members in proportion to their investment share as amortization of their investment and as compensation for the use of capital (8). The major advantage and safeguard of an international organization such as INTELSAT is the dual role of members as both owners and users. Through INTELSAT, many developing nations which could not afford the initial technological cost of satellite communications have now become active users. Not only has their participation afforded them access to an advanced field of space technology, they are receiving the considerable benefits of satellite communications in their development process. Information access is presently of major concern to the developing countries. Through INTELSAT such information is being supplied. Though the developing countries have profited significantly from the INTELSAT arrangement, the developed countries have also realized substantial benefits. First and most basic, these countries now share in a communications network of dimensions far beyond those that a single country could have afforded. These countries, just as the developing countries, are also enjoying the decreasing costs of a system which can provide economies of scale and the most advanced technology. For example, the annual cost of INTELSAT telephone circuit in 1965 was $64,000. In 1980, that cost had declined to $10,080 (9). Further, INTELSAT provided those countries already possessing some technical know-how with the opportunity for additional research and development on a major scale. INTELSAT has thus provided substantial benefits to both developed and developing countries. Although the technology and much of the initial cost was provided by developed countries, the functioning of the system ensured them an adequate return on their investment. The growth of INTELSAT membership provides the clearest possible evidence that its potential is being realized to the benefit of both developed and developing countries. Just as the communications needs of the world are being answered through organizations such as INTELSAT, so too could the global community share in supplying its basic energy needs. On such a scale the concept of a solar power satellite system could become feasible and only by means of such a system could the world hope to satisfy its tremendous energy requirements. Leaving aside for a moment the overriding consideration of cost, the advantages of such a system for both developed and developing countries are considerable. In this context, the advantages perceived by the developed countries are of equal importance to those recognized by the developing nations for, without adequate incentive, the developed countries will have no rationale for their initial, and crucial, participation in such a project. No one can predict the events which will shape the world in the next few years. However, the continued demand of both developed and developing nations for increasing energy supplies appears a relative certainty. As a result, no potential energy source should be dismissed without serious consideration. Satellite solar power systems, today considered a dream, could one day become the world's major energy source. For the developing countries, in particular, the concept of a satellite solar
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