1.4.2. TIMs Three Technical Interchange Meetings or TIMs took place during the course of this study. The first TIM, which was convened during Phase I, took place at NASA Headquarters on September 19-20, 1995 for the purpose of (1) reviewing the framework of the SSP study, (2) discussing and developing a common understanding of markets and market factors that will play a role in determining SSP viability, (3) defining, in a very preliminary sense, several SSP system concepts of particular promise, (4) identifying relevant technologies and concepts that could be applied to SSP along with an assessment of their maturity, and (5) identifying critical barriers to achieving SSP viability, including technical, programmatic and economic/market-related barriers. The second TIM took place in Phase II at NASA Lewis Research Center on June 12-13, 1996, for the purpose of (1) reviewing the study and particularly the six concepts selected for detailed definition in Phase I, (2) identifying specific technical challenges and potential solutions to those challenges in both system and subsytem areas, (3) identifying relevant technologies in each susbsytem that could be applied to the six concepts, (4) providing and/or reviewing parametric data in each major subsystem technology area that would help further define the concepts and illuminate feasibility issues and/or barriers, (5) discussing, across subsystem disciplines, the technical approaches suggested for each concept with the goal of defining the “best” technical approach for each concept, and (6) generating specific data inputs, and parameter values for the SSP integrated system model to support required trade studies and sensitivity analyses. The third SSP TIM again took place at NASA Headquarters on July 25, 1996, but its focus this time was directed exclusively to market and investment issues, and attendees were asked to address several key questions associated with space solar power such as (1) What markets should SSP focus on and in what timeframe? (2) What international relationships and institutions will be needed? (3) How do environmental concerns and issues apply to a space solar power system and what are relevant competing alternatives? (4) What public concerns will need to be addressed? (5) Will spectrum allocation be a major problem and what actions can be taken now to minimize the degree to which it is a problem? (6) Can space solar power be financed and how? (7) What aspects require near-term government investment? (8) What aspects could attract near-term industry investment? and (9) What are the potential show stoppers? The Technical Interchange Meetings that took place in both phases of this study provided an opportunity for a broad set of people and institutions to participate directly in the study, and for the study team to tap their expertise in developing new concepts, providing ideas for applying cutting edge technologies, supplying current data needed to support the concept evaluations, and critically reviewing study resuhs. The TIM participants included representatives from many organizations technical disciplines and professions including: • Power industry • Aerospace (including companies, consultants and advisors) • Commercial space sector (including “industrial space park” proponents) • Special consultants (including economists, business, and safety and health consultants) • Universities and non-profit organizations • Government (including DOE)
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