• identify, gather information, and evaluate potential systems for SSP applications • identify the most promising concepts for SSP • develop a set of analytical tools needed to assess a broad range of SSP concepts/architectures • evaluate the technical and economic performance of candidate SSP concepts • identify key technologies whose development is critical for viable SSP concepts • initiate partnerships with agencies and industrial stakeholders for development and use of SSP • develop a comprehensive database of our current understanding of SSP. 1.2. Background The basic ideas associated with Solar Power Satellites (SPS) were studied extensively in the mid-to-late 1970’s by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). These agencies conducted an extensive investigation which explored technical options for such systems, focusing predominantly on energy services for large cities in the domestic U.S. energy market. The major product of this combined effort was a planned space solar power architecture supporting a constellation of 60 solar power satellites in geostationary orbit, that would each supply 5 GW of electric power for use on Earth. This study associated with this concept, commonly referred to as the 1979 Reference System, included detailed design and cost estimates of the proposed satellites, ground systems, space transportation, assembly operations and even addressed the manufacturing facilities needed to undertake this large venture. The study itself was an acknowledged technical success and the technological feasibility of SPS was affirmed. However, it was less than fully successfill programmatically. Shortly after the study was completed, all U.S. funding funding for SPS came to an abrupt halt. At least a partial reason for this termination of activities was the tremendous scale of the SPS structural systems and, of course, the resultant need for extremely large up-front investment with a substantial time period before receiving first revenues from the venture. Significant changes have taken place in several areas since the completion of the 1970’s SPS study. There have been changes in the market for energy services and in international interest in SSP, including changes in attitudes among the global public with respect to environmental concerns. Also there have been important changes in the technologies and concepts for SSP. It is the latter changes which represent the context within which space solar power must be considered in the 1990’s, and it is the basis for the current SSP study reported here. This broad study was initiated in July 1995 by the Advanced Concepts Office (ACO) under the Office of Space Access and Technology at NASA Headquarters, to take a “fresh look” at innovative system concepts for delivering solar power from space. The principal objective has been to determine whether a space solar power system concept can be defined that could, if developed as a privately financed and operated business, credibly deliver power into surface electrical grids at prices equal to - and preferably below - ground alternatives in a variety of markets, without major environmental drawbacks.
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