SpaceBasedSolarPower AsanOpportunityforStrategicSecurity

Phase0ArchitectureFeasibilityStudy
ReporttotheDirector,NationalSecuritySpaceOffice InterimAssessment
Release0.1

10October2007

FOREWORD
Preventingresourceconflictsinthefaceofincreasingglobalpopulationsand demandsinthe21stcenturyisahighpriorityfortheDepartmentofDefense.All solutionoptionstothesechallengesshouldbeexplored,includingopportunities fromspace. InMarch2007,theNationalSecuritySpaceOfficesAdvancedConceptsOffice presentedtheideaofspacebasedsolarpower(SBSP)asapotentialgrand opportunitytoaddressnotonlyenergysecurity,butenvironmental,economic, intellectual,andspacesecurityaswell.Firstproposedinthelate1960s,theconcept waslastexploredintheNASAs1997FreshLookStudy.Inthedecadesincethis laststudy,advancesintechnologyandnewchallengestosecurityhavewarranteda currentexplorationofthestrategicimplicationsofSBSP.Forthesereasons,my officesponsoredanocostPhase0ArchitectureFeasibilityStudyofSBSPduringthe SpringandSummerof2007. Unliketraditionalcontractedarchitecturestudies,theattachedreportwascompiled throughaninnovativeandcollaborativeapproachthatreliedheavilyuponvoluntary internetdiscussionsbymorethan170academic,scientific,technical,legal,and businessexpertsaroundtheworld.Iapplaudthehighqualityofworkaccomplished bytheteamleadersandallparticipantswhocontributedinthelastsixmonths.I encouragethemtocontinuetheirworkinearnestastheymovebeyondthisinterim reportandseektoanswerthequestionofwhetherSBSPcanbedevelopedand deployedwithinthefirsthalfofthiscenturytoprovideaffordable,clean,safe, reliable,sustainableandexpandableenergyformankind. Thisinterimassessmentcontainssignificantinitialfindingsandrecommendations thatshouldprovidepauseandconsiderationfornationalandinternationalpolicy makers,businessleaders,andcitizensalike.Itappearsthattechnologicalchallenges areclosingrapidlyandthebusinesscaseforcreatingSBSPisimprovingwitheach passingyear.Stillabsent,however,isanappropriatecatalysttostimulatethe variousinterestedpartiestowardactuallydevelopingaSBSPcapability.Iencourage alltoreadthisreportandconsidertheopportunitiesthatSBSPpresentsaspartofa nationalandinternationaldebateforactiononhowbesttopreservesecurityforall.

//signed 9 Oct 07// JOSEPH D. ROUGE, SES Acting Director, National Security Space Office

TableofContents
EXECUTIVESUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 1 STUDYOBJECTIVE ................................................................................................................... 5 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 6 REPORTMETHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 9 GENERALFINDINGSONSTRATEGYANDSECURITY ..................................................................... 12 FOCUSAREAS ...................................................................................................................... 20 SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY .................................................................................................... 20 POLICY&LEGAL ................................................................................................................ 24 LOGISTICS&INFRASTRUCTURE ............................................................................................ 31 BUSINESSCASE ................................................................................................................. 34 OVERARCHINGTHEMES&RECOMMENDATIONS: ...................................................................... 39 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................ 41 APPENDIXASBSPDESIGNCONSIDERATIONSANDTRADEOFFS ............................................. A-1 APPENDIXBDEMONSTRATIONROADMAP .......................................................................... B-1 APPENDIXCBUSINESSCASEANALYSIS ............................................................................... C-1 APPENDIXDSBSPLOGISTICSANDINFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................... D-1 APPENDIXEACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................E-1
*"CoverIllustrationKrisHolland,MaficStudios,Inc."

EXECUTIVESUMMARY
ConsistentwiththeUSNationalSecurityStrategy,energyandenvironmentalsecurityarenotjust problemsforAmerica,theyarecriticalchallengesfortheentireworld.Expandinghumanpopulations anddecliningnaturalresourcesarepotentialsourcesoflocalandstrategicconflictinthe21stCentury, andmanyseeenergyscarcityastheforemostthreattonationalsecurity.Conflictpreventionisof particularinteresttosecurityprovidinginstitutionssuchastheU.S.DepartmentofDefensewhichhas elevatedenergyandenvironmentalsecurityaspriorityissueswithamandatetoproactivelyfindand createsolutionsthatensureU.S.andpartnerstrategicsecurityispreserved. Themagnitudeoftheloomingenergyandenvironmentalproblemsissignificantenoughtowarrant considerationofalloptions,toincluderevisitingaconceptcalledSpaceBasedSolarPower(SBSP)first inventedintheUnitedStatesalmost40yearsago.Thebasicideaisverystraightforward:placevery largesolararraysintocontinuouslyandintenselysunlitEarthorbit(1,366watts/m2),collectgigawattsof electricalenergy,electromagneticallybeamittoEarth,andreceiveitonthesurfaceforuseeitheras baseloadpowerviadirectconnectiontotheexistingelectricalgrid,conversionintomanufactured synthetichydrocarbonfuels,oraslowintensitybroadcastpowerbeameddirectlytoconsumers.A singlekilometerwidebandofgeosynchronousearthorbitexperiencesenoughsolarfluxinoneyearto nearlyequaltheamountofenergycontainedwithinallknownrecoverableconventionaloilreserveson Earthtoday.Thisamountofenergyindicatesthatthereisenormouspotentialforenergysecurity, economicdevelopment,improvedenvironmentalstewardship,advancementofgeneralspacefaring, andoverallnationalsecurityforthosenationswhoconstructandpossessaSBSPcapability. NASAandDOEhavecollectivelyspent$80Moverthelastthreedecadesinsporadiceffortsstudyingthis concept(bycomparison,theU.S.Governmenthasspentapproximately$21Boverthelast50years continuouslypursuingnuclearfusion).Thefirstmajoreffortoccurredinthe1970swherescientific feasibilityoftheconceptwasestablishedandareference5GWdesignwasproposed.Unfortunately 1970sarchitectureandtechnologylevelscouldnotsupportaneconomiccasefordevelopmentrelative tootherlowercostenergyalternativesonthemarket.In19951997NASAinitiatedaFreshLook Studytoreexaminetheconceptrelativetomoderntechnologicalcapabilities.Thereport(validatedby theNationalResearchCouncil)indicatedthattechnologyvectorstosatisfySBSPdevelopmentwere convergingquicklyandprovidedrecommendeddevelopmentfocusareas,butforvariousreasonsthat againincludedtherelativelylowercostofotherenergies,policymakerselectednottopursuea developmenteffort. Thepost9/11situationhaschangedthatcalculusconsiderably.Oilpriceshavejumpedfrom$15/barrelto now$80/barrelinlessthanadecade.Inadditiontotheemergenceofglobalconcernsoverclimate change,Americanandalliedenergysourcesecurityisnowunderthreatfromactorsthatseekto destabilizeorcontrolglobalenergymarketsaswellasincreasedenergydemandcompetitionby emergingglobaleconomies.OurNationalSecurityStrategyrecognizesthatmanynationsaretoo dependentonforeignoil,oftenimportedfromunstableportionsoftheworld,andseekstoremedythe problembyacceleratingthedeploymentofcleantechnologiestoenhanceenergysecurity,reduce poverty,andreducepollutioninawaythatwilligniteaneraofglobalgrowththroughfreemarketsand freetrade.SeniorU.S.leadersneedsolutionswithstrategicimpactthatcanbedeliveredinarelevant periodoftime. InMarchof2007,theNationalSecuritySpaceOffice(NSSO)AdvancedConceptsOffice(Dreamworks) presentedthisideatotheagencydirector.Recognizingthepotentialforthisconcepttoinfluencenot onlyenergy,butalsospace,economic,environmental,andnationalsecurity,theDirectorinstructedthe AdvancedConceptsOfficetoquicklycollectasmuchinformationaspossibleonthefeasibilityofthis concept.Withoutthetimeorfundstocontractforatraditionalarchitecturestudy,Dreamworksturned toaninnovativesolution:thecreationonApril21,2007,ofanopensource,internetbased,interactive

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collaborationforumaimedatgatheringtheworldsSBSPexpertsintooneparticularcyberspace. Discussiongrewimmediatelyandexponentially,suchthattherearenow170activecontributorsasof thereleaseofthisreportthisstudyapproachwasanunequivocalsuccessandshouldserveasamodel forDoDwhenconsideringotherstudytopics.Studyleadersorganizeddiscussionsintofivegroups:1)a commonplenarysession,2)science&technology,3)law&policy,4)infrastructureandlogistics,and5) thebusinesscase,andchallengedthegrouptoansweronefundamentalquestion:CantheUnitedStates andpartnersenablethedevelopmentanddeploymentofaspacebasedsolarpowersystemwithinthefirst halfofthe21stCenturysuchthatifconstructedcouldprovideaffordable,clean,safe,reliable,sustainable, andexpandableenergyforitsconsumers?Discussionresultsweresummarizedandpresentedatatwo dayconferenceinColoradoon67SeptembergraciouslyhostedbytheU.S.AirForceAcademy EisenhowerCenterforSpaceandDefenseStudies. Overthecourseofthestudyseveraloverarchingthemesemerged: TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludedthatspacebasedsolarpowerdoespresentastrategic opportunitythatcouldsignificantlyadvanceUSandpartnersecurity,capability,andfreedomof actionandmeritssignificantfurtherattentiononthepartofboththeUSGovernmentandthe privatesector. TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludedthatwhilesignificanttechnicalchallengesremain,Space BasedSolarPowerismoretechnicallyexecutablethaneverbeforeandcurrenttechnological vectorspromisetofurtherimproveitsviability.Agovernmentledproofofconcept demonstrationcouldservetocatalyzecommercialsectordevelopment. TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludedthatSBSPrequiresacoordinatednationalprogramwithhigh levelleadershipandresourcingcommensuratewithitspromise,butatleastonthelevelof fusionenergyresearchorInternationalSpaceStationconstructionandoperations. TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludedthatshouldtheU.S.beginacoordinatednationalprogramto developSBSP,itshouldexpecttofindthatbroadinterestinSBSPexistsoutsideoftheUS Government,rangingfromaerospaceandenergyindustries;toforeigngovernmentssuchas Japan,theEU,Canada,India,China,Russia,andothers;tomanyindividualcitizenswhoare increasinglyconcernedaboutthepreservationofenergysecurityandenvironmentalquality. WhilethebestchancesfordevelopmentarelikelytooccurwithUSGovernmentsupport,itis entirelypossiblethatSBSPdevelopmentmaybeindependentlypursuedelsewherewithout U.S.leadership. CertainkeyquestionsaboutSpaceBasedSolarPowerwerenotanswerablewithadequate precisionwithinthetimeandresourcelimitationsofthisinterimstudy,andformtheagendafor futureaction(acompletedescriptionofthesequestionscanbefoundinAppendixASpace BasedSolarPowerDesignConsiderationsandTradeoffs).Thefundamentaltasks/questions are: o o o o Identificationofcleartargetsforeconomicviabilityinmarketsofinterest Identificationoftechnicaldevelopmentgoalsandaroadmapforretiringrisk Selectionofthebestdesigntrades Fulldesignanddeploymentofameaningfuldemonstrator

Thestudygroupdeterminedthatfouroverarchingrecommendationsweremostsignificant:

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Recommendation#1:ThestudygrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Governmentshouldorganize effectivelytoallowforthedevelopmentofSBSPandconcludeanalysestoresolveremaining unknowns Recommendation#2:ThestudygrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Governmentshouldretirea majorportionofthetechnicalriskforbusinessdevelopment Recommendation#3:ThestudygrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Governmentshouldcreatea facilitatingpolicy,regulatory,andlegalenvironmentforthedevelopmentofSBSP Recommendation#4:ThestudygrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Governmentshouldbecomean earlydemonstrator/adopter/customerofSBSPandincentivizeitsdevelopment

SeveralmajorchallengeswillneedtobeovercometomakeSBSPareality,includingthecreationoflow costspaceaccessandasupportinginfrastructuresystemonEarthandinspace.Solvingthesespace accessandoperationschallengesforSBSPwillinturnalsoopenspaceforahostofotheractivitiesthat includespacetourism,manufacturing,lunarorasteroidresourceutilization,andeventuallysettlement toextendthehumanrace.BecauseDoDwouldnotwanttoownSBSPsatellites,butratherjust purchasethedeliveredenergyasitcurrentlydoesviatraditionalterrestrialutilities,arepeatedreview findingisthatthecommercialsectorwillneedGovernmenttoaccomplishthreemajortaskstocatalyze SBSPdevelopment.Thefirstistoretireamajorportionoftheearlytechnicalrisks.Thiscanbe accomplishedviaanincrementalresearchanddevelopmentprogramthatculminateswithaspace borneproofofconceptdemonstrationinthenextdecade.Aspiraldevelopmentproposaltofielda10 MWcontinuouspilotplantenroutetogigawattsclasssystemsisincludedinAppendixB.Thesecond challengeistofacilitatethepolicy,regulatory,legal,andorganizationalinstrumentsthatwillbe necessarytocreatethepartnershipsandrelationships(commercialcommercial,government commercial,andgovernmentgovernment)neededforthisconcepttosucceed.ThefinalGovernment contributionistobecomeadirectearlyadopterandtoincentivizeotherearlyadoptersmuchasis accomplishedonaregularbasiswithotherrenewableenergysystemscomingonlinetoday. FortheDoDspecifically,beamedenergyfromspaceinquantitiesgreaterthan5MWehasthepotential tobeadisruptivegamechangeronthebattlefield.SBSPanditsenablingwirelesspowertransmission technologycouldfacilitateextremelyflexibleenergyondemandforcombatunitsandinstallations acrossanentiretheater,whilesignificantlyreducingdependenceonvulnerableoverlandfueldeliveries. SBSPcouldalsoenableentirelynewforcestructuresandcapabilitiessuchasultralongendurance airborneorterrestrialsurveillanceorcombatsystemstoincludetheindividualsoldierhimself.More routinely,SBSPcouldprovidetheabilitytodeliverrapidandsustainablehumanitarianenergytoa disasterareaortoalocalpopulationundergoingnationbuildingactivities.SBSPcouldalsofacilitate baseislandingsuchthateachinstallationhastheabilitytooperateindependentofvulnerableground basedenergydeliveryinfrastructures.InadditiontohelpingAmericanandallieddefense establishmentsremainrelevantovertheentire21stCenturythroughmoresecuresupplylines,perhaps thegreatestmilitarybenefitofSBSPistolessenthechancesofconflictduetoenergyscarcityby providingaccesstoastrategicallysecureenergysupply. Despitethisearlyinterimreviewsuccess,therearestillmanymorequestionsthatmustbeanswered beforeafullscalecommercialdevelopmentdecisioncanbemade.Itisproposedthatinthespiritofthe originalcollaborativeSBSPStudyGroupcharter,thatthisinterimreportbecomesalivingdocumentto collect,summarize,andrecommendontheevolutionofSBSP.Thepositiveindicatorsobservedto surroundSBSPbythisreviewteamsuggestthatitwouldbeintheUSGovernmentsandthenations interesttosponsoranimmediateproofofconceptdemonstrationprojectandaformallyfunded, followonarchitecturestudyconductedinfullcollaborationwithindustryandwillinginternational partners.Thepurposeofafollowonstudywillbetodefinitivelyratherthanspeculativelyanswerthe questionofwhetherallofthebarrierstoSBSPdevelopmentcanberetiredwithinthenextfourdecades

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andtocreateanactionablebusinesscaseandconstructioneffortroadmapthatwillleadtothe installationofutilitygradeSBSPelectricpowerplants.Consideringthedevelopmenttimescalesthatare involved,andtheexponentialgrowthofpopulationandresourcepressureswithinthatsamestrategic period,itisimperativethatthisworkfordrillingupvs.drillingdownforenergysecuritybegins immediately.

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STUDYOBJECTIVE
ConsistentwiththeUSNationalSecurityStrategy,energyandenvironmentalsecurityarenotjust problemsforAmerica,theyarecriticalproblemsfortheentireworld.Expandinghumanpopulations anddecliningnaturalresourcesarepotentialsourcesofstrategicandlocalconflictinthefirsthalfofthe 21stCentury.Conflictpreventionisofparticularinteresttosecurityprovidinginstitutionssuchasthe U.S.DepartmentofDefense.Equitableaccesstosufficientquantitiesofclean,reliable,andaffordable energyfundamentallyenablesthetechnicalandpolicysolutionsthatcanpreventfutureresource conflictswhilestillprovidingopportunitiesforprosperousgrowth.Everyenergyresourceopportunity, includingthosefromspace,mustbefullyexploredtodetermineitsabilitytocontributetowardsolving mankindsloomingenergysupplyandsecuritydilemma.

1 year x 1 km GEO band 212 TW-years

All Remaining Oil Resource 250 TW-years

Every 1 km-wide insolation band at GEO receives nearly as much energy per annum as the content of the entire 1.28T BBLs of recoverable oil remaining

Asinglekilometerwidebandofgeosynchronousearthorbitexperiencesenoughsolarfluxinoneyear (approximately212terawattyears)tonearlyequaltheamountofenergycontainedwithinallknown recoverableconventionaloilreservesonEarthtoday(approximately250TWyrs).Theenormous potentialofthisresourcedemandsanexaminationofmankindsabilitytosuccessfullycaptureand utilizethisenergywithinthecontextoftodaystechnology,economic,andpolicyrealities,aswellasthe expectedenvironmentwithinthenext25years.Studyofspacebasedsolarpower(SBSP)indicatesthat thereisenormouspotentialforenergysecurity,economicdevelopment,advancementofgeneralspace faring,improvedenvironmentalstewardship,andoverallnationalsecurityforthosenationswho constructandpossesssuchacapability. WhiletheOfficeoftheSecretaryofDefense(OSD)hasnoofficialpositiononSBSP,theNational SecuritySpaceOffice(NSSO)isconductingthisPhase0architecturefeasibilitystudyonbehalfofthe DepartmentofDefensetobeginansweringonefundamentalquestion: CantheUnitedStatesandpartnersenablethedevelopmentanddeploymentofaspace basedsolarpowersystemwithinthefirsthalfofthe21stCenturysuchthatifconstructed couldprovideaffordable,clean,safe,reliable,sustainable,andexpandableenergyforits consumers? Inthisquestion,thetermenableiscriticalinthatitreflectsafocusonretiringallofthehurdlesover thenextfourdecadesthatareanticipatedinmaturingthisconcept.Iftheanswertothisquestionis yes,thendiscussioncanbeginonwhetherthisdisruptiveconceptshouldbepursuedasanational

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projectnotonlyforitsenergy,environmental,andeconomicbenefits,butalsofortheothernational securityrewardsithasthepotentialtoprovide.

BACKGROUND
SpaceSolarPower:TheConceptandWhyitisInteresting TheSunisagiantfusionreactor,convenientlylocatedsome150millionkmfromtheEarth,radiating2.3 billiontimesmoreenergythanwhatstrikesthediskoftheEarth,whichitselfismoreenergyinahour thanallhumancivilizationdirectlyusesinayear,anditwillcontinuetoproducefreeenergyforbillions ofyears.

OurSunisthelargestknownenergyresourceinthesolarsystem.InthevicinityofEarth,everysquare meterofspacereceives1.366kilowattsofsolarradiation,butbythetimeitreachestheground,ithas beenreducedbyatmosphericabsorptionandscattering;weather;andsummer,winter,anddaynight cyclestolessthananaverageof250wattspersquaremeter.SpaceBasedSolarPoweroffersawayto breakthetyrannyofthesedaynight,summerwinterandweathercycles,andprovidecontinuousand predictablepowertoanylocationonEarth.

OriginalSBSPPatentSubmissionbyPeterGlaser

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Firstoriginatedasanideain1968andlaterpatentedbyDr.PeterGlaser,SpaceBasedSolarPower capturessunlightonorbitwhereitisconstantandstrongerthanonEarth,andconvertsitintocoherent radiationthatisbeameddowntoareceiveronEarth.

GEO Solar Power Architecture

Lunar Solar Power Architecture

Twobasicarchitecturesexist(foracompletediscussionseeAppendixA):placementofcollectorsin Earthorbit[geostationaryorbit(GEO),mediumEarthorbit(MEO),orlowearthorbit(LEO)],or placementofcollectorsonthesurfaceoftheMoon.Twobasicmethodsexistforcapturingtheenergy: photovoltaicorsolardynamic.Finallytwobasicmethodsofbeamingthepowerdownexist:via coherentradiowaves,orviacoherentvisibleorinfraredlight.

Typical SPS design, circa 1978

Typical SPS design, circa 2003

Typicalreferencedesignsinvolvedasatelliteingeostationaryorbit,severalkilometersonaside,that usedphotovoltaicarraystocapturethesunlight,thenconvertitintoradiofrequenciesof2.45or5.8

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GHzwhereatmospherictransmissionisveryhigh,thatwerethenbeamedtowardareferencesignalon theEarthatintensitiesapproximately1/6thofnoonsunlight.Thebeamwasthenreceivedbya rectifyingantennaandconvertedintoelectricityforthegrid,delivering510gigawattsofelectricpower.

CurrentDesignProposalsIllustrationsbyMaficstudios

RootsoftheStudy TherootsofthisstudybeganwiththecontinuingenvironmentalscaninHQUSAF'sinternalthinktank "DeepLook"(AF/A8XCFutureConcepts),whichhadidentifiedseveralmajorfactorsthatcoulddrive conflictorundermineU.S.planningassumptionsinthefartermfuture.Theseincludedthefollowing strategicproblemsfortheUnitedStatesandtheUSAF: EnergySecurity(bothfromunstablesourcesandfromdepletingresources) ClimateChange,withpossibleanthropogeniccauses ErodingTechnologyOvermatchduetolowerproductionofsciencetechnologyengineering& math(STEM)professionalsvs.competitors ErosionofSpaceDominanceandcorrespondingreductioninspacesecurity

DeepLooksubsequentlyexploredanumberoffutureconceptsthatmightofferpotentiallygame changingsolutionstotheseproblems,specificallylookingforprojectsthatwouldlessenUSAFandU.S. dependenceonfossilfuel,reduceemissionsthatmightleadtoclimatechange,providealeadinspace technology,andenergizeinterestinrecapitalizationoftheU.S.aerospacetechbase. Amongtheideasexplored,wasSpaceSolarPowerSatellites.AirForceDeepLookforwardedthe concepttoAF/A4/7andtheUSAFEnergyStrategyBoard,theOSDEnergySecurityIntegratedProduct Team(IPT),theOSDEnergyStrategyDefenseScienceBoard(DSB),andfinallyNSSOAdvanced ConceptsOffice,eachofwhichrequestedhigherfidelityinformationbeforefurtherconsideration.An informalinteragencystudygroupcoalescedtoattempttoprovidebetterqualityinformationonthe subjectandadvocateformoreformalexploration.WhenthegrouppresentedthecasetotheDirector ofNSSO,herecognizeditspotentialimportanceandtaskedthisstudytoprovideduediligence.The studycommencedwiththefollowingframework:

Vision
SecurityintheformofcleanenergyindependenceforAmerica,itsAllies,andtheWorld

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Mission
Determinethepolitical,scientific,technical,logistical,andcommercialfeasibilityofspace basedsolarpowercollectionanddistributioninthe21stCenturyasacontributingsource of clean energy to national power grids and smaller niche applications.Discuss significantcapabilities, limitations, and alternatives. Identify challenges that must be overcome, and suggest a research and development investment plan that incrementally retiresriskonthepathtofieldinganoperationalsystem.

NominalGoals
Operational:Initialcapabilitytodeliver510MWeofpowertoremotelocations Strategic:Capacitytodeliver10%ofU.S.baseloadpowerby2050

REPORTMETHODOLOGY
ThisfirstofitskindDoDreportrepresentsthemostconcertedU.S.GovernmentlookatSBSPinalmost adecade.Originallyexaminedinthe1970sasajointNASA/DOEproject,SBSPwasproventobe technicallyfeasible,butalsoeconomicallyunviablerelativetothepriceofcompetingenergysources using1970ssystemsconceptsandtechnology.

NASASuntowerNASASolardisk

In19951997,NASArevisitedtheconceptwithacomprehensiveendtoend,architecturelevelreview entitledtheFreshLookStudy.TheFreshLookStudyrevalidatedtheconceptstechnicalfeasibility anddemonstratedthatachievingSBSPthroughtheuseofnewconcepts,enabledbynewtechnologies, wasfarmorefeasiblethanhadbeentruetwodecadesearlier.Thoughfeasible,SPSPwasstillnot competitivewhenmeasuredagainstthe$0.05/kWhpriceofelectricityand$15/barrelpriceofoil prevalentatthattime.Theprimarydriverofunacceptablyhighinitialcapitalcostswascosttoorbit, whilearangeofremainingtechnicalchallengeswerealsoidentified.Anapproachtoresolvingthese issueswaslaidoutinaseriesoftechnologyroadmaps.Aninitialroundofscienceandtechnology(S&T) projectswasundertakenfrom19982001underNASASpacebasedSolarPowerExploratoryResearch andTechnology(SERT)program.In2000,theNationalResearchCouncil(NRC)confirmedthevalidityof theFreshLookStudyandreviewedemergingresultsfromtheseveraltechnological/riskreduction developmentprojects.AsecondroundofS&TeffortSBSPConceptsandTechnologyMaturation (SCTP),wasundertakenbyNASA,inpartnershipwiththeNationalScienceFoundation,inaprogram thatconcludedin2003.Alltotaled,theUnitedStatesisestimatedtohaveinvestedapproximately$80M studyingSBSPsincetheideawasfirstproposedin1968byDr.PeterGlaser.Asacomparison,theWhite Househasrequested$418MinFY2008forfusionenergysciencesworkwithinDOE,andtheU.S.

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governmentisestimatedtohaveinvestedapproximately$21BinfusionenergyS&Tresearchsincethe 1950s. SincetheFreshLookStudymuchhaschanged.Theeventsof9/11dramaticallyalteredtheworld strategicsecurityenvironment.Majorenergyproducingareasoftheworldareperceivedasbeing unstable,andtherisksofdependenceonunstableareasoftheworldforenergysuppliesare increasinglylessacceptabletobothcitizensandpolicymakers.Therisingdemandofthedeveloping worldinparticulartheburgeoningeconomiesofChinaandIndiaareincreasingenergycompetition. Growingconcernoverlongtermclimatechangehasbecomeamainstreamissue.Globalization,begun attheendofthelastcenturyhascreatedanextremelyrapidandacceleratingpaceofchangeinthe technological,informational,andbusinesssectors.Thesechangesarebeingdrivenbytheaggregate decisionsofbillionsofpeople,millionsofcompanies,thousandsofgovernments,andhuge internationalmarketsthatcrossthebordersofoverahundredcountries.Theabilitytostop,oreven slow,thischangeisbeyondtheabilityofanysinglenation,company,ororganization.TheDoD,asthe nationslargestinstitutionalconsumeroftechnologyandenergy,hasdeterminedthatlongtermenergy securityisnowaforefrontissue.Theearlydevelopmentsofthe21stCenturyhavecreatedconditions thatmeritthatthisnationtakesarelookofSBSP. FortheNationalSecuritySpaceOffice(NSSO),whoseexpertiseliesprincipallyinexistingspace missions,addressingenergydeliveryfromspacewasarelativelyforeignsubjectuntilthisyear.Making informeddecisionsaboutSBSPrequiredimmediateaccesstoabroadspectrumofexpertsfrom specializedastronauticalengineers,toenergypolicyexperts,tobusinessandlegalprofessionals. Traditionalarchitecturestudiesaretypicallyconductedbyacontractorundergovernmentsupervision andcompensation,andtake612monthsforcontractawardandthenanadditional1224monthsto complete.Collectingandorganizingsuchagroupofknowledgeownerswithinthetimeframeand budgetdemandedbyNSSOrequiredauniqueandnovelapproachforDoDtoconductanarchitecture study. Enterthecollaborativeonlinestudy.OnApril21,2007,theSBSPStudyGroupestablishedan unclassifiedandaccesscontrolledonlinecollaborationwebsiteandbeganinvitingknownSBSPexperts toparticipatemanyofwhomhadbeeninvolvedineitherthe1970sinitialassessmentorthe1990s FreshLookStudy.Asnewsofthediscussionspread(bothbywordofmouthandthroughpublic mediacoverage),othernationalandinternationalexperts(bothproponentsandopponents)were addedasstudymemberssuchthatthenumberofactiveparticipantsstoodatover170atthetimeof thispublication(seelistatAppendixE).Insupportofthestudygroupsefforts,theSpaceFrontier Foundationalsoestablishedaparallel,openaccesswebsiteathttp://spacesolarpower.wordpress.com/ tosolicitinputsfromthepublicatlarge,manyofwhichpossessedsignificantcredentialstoward answeringthequestionofwhethertheU.S.andpartnerscanenablethedevelopmentofSBSPbymid century. Inadditiontoacentralplenarydiscussionareatopresentanddebategeneralideas,theonlinestudy wasaccomplishedbysegregatingintofourspecificbreakoutareas:1)science&technologycapabilities, 2)logisticsandinfrastructurerequirements,3)policyissues,and4)thebusinesscase.Studyleaders postedquestionsforthegrouptodebateandanswer.Discussionwaslivelyinmostcases,leadingto themanyfindingsdetailedintheinterimreportthatfollows.Additionalexpertsweredrawnintoeach debateasrequired.Inmanycases,majorityconsensuswasobtainedandincertaincasesitwasnot; thoseresultsarealsoincludedwithinthisreport.The5monthonlinediscussionculminatedina2day conferencehostedbytheUSAirForceAcademyEisenhowerCenterforSpaceandDefenseStudiesat Breckenridge,Colorado,on67September,2007.TheworkshopincludedrepresentativesfromDoD, NASA,DOE,academia,andvariousindustriestoincludeaerospace,energy,andotherswhohad participatedinthecollaborativestudy.Plenaryandbreakoutresultswerepresentedviapanelled discussions. Thereportmethodologyanddeadline,whileusefulforitspurposetoprovideabasicunderstandingof theunderlyingissuesandopportunitiesforDoDandotherpolicymakersunfortunatelydoesnot

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permitthedefinitiveacademicrigorthatallwouldfinduseful.Shouldthereaderdesiretofindmore information,thefollowingstartingpointsareaccessibleviatheinternet: Anoutstandingoverviewandhistorycanbefoundat: http://www.permanent.com/psps.htm NationalSpaceSocietymaintainsthemostcomprehensiveonlinelibraryofpastgovernment studiesandresearchpapers: http://nss.org/settlement/ssp/library/index.htm Anadditionalusefularchiveofpaperscanbefoundat: http://www.spacefuture.com/power/power.shtml Atthetimeofwriting,dataonWikipediaprovidedaverygoodintroductiontothesubject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_satellite http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_solar_power Organizationalinterestcanbefoundat: http://www.spacepowerassociation.org/ http://www.spacefrontier.org/Projects/spacesolarpower/ http://www.ssi.org/ http://www.sspi.gatech.edu/ http://www.sunsat.org/ CorporateWebsitesDiscussingSBSP: http://www.powersat.com/ http://www.spaceislandgroup.com/solarsat.html http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/bu/space/rd/solarbird/index.html

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GENERALFINDINGSONSTRATEGYANDSECURITY
Thefindingsthatfollowrepresenttheaggregateconclusionsorobservationsthatmaterializedwithin thestudygroupassummarizedbythestudyleadersandDoDrapporteurs. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthattheU.S.DepartmentofDefense(DoD)hasalarge,urgent andcriticalneedforsecure,reliable,andmobileenergydeliverytothewarfighter. Whenallindirectandsupportcostsareincluded,itisestimatedthattheDoDcurrentlyspends over$1perkilowatthourforelectricalpowerdeliveredtotroopsinforwardmilitarybasesin warregions.OSD(PA&E)hascomputedthatatawholesalepriceof$2.30agallon,thefully burdenedaveragepriceoffuelfortheArmyexceeds$5agallon.ForOperationIRAQI FREEDOMtheestimateddeliveredpriceoffuelincertainareasmayapproach$20agallon. SignificantnumbersofAmericanservicemenandwomenareinjuredorkilledasaresultof attacksonsupplyconvoysinIraq.Petroleumproductsaccountforapproximately70%of deliveredtonnagetoU.S.forcesinIraqtotaldailyconsumptionisapproximately1.6million gallons.Anyestimatedcostofbattlefieldenergy(fuelandelectricity)doesnotincludethecost inlivesofAmericanmenandwomen. TheDoDisapotentialanchortenantcustomerofspacebasedsolarpowerthatcanbereliably deliveredtoU.S.troopslocatedinforwardbasesinhostileterritoryinamountsof550 megawattscontinuousatanestimatedpriceof$1perkilowatthour,butthispricemayincrease overtimeasworldenergyresourcesbecomemorescarceorenvironmentalconcernsabout increasedcarbonemissionsfromcombustingfossilfuelsincreases.

DigitalMontagebyStanleyVonMedvey

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthattheSBSPdevelopmentwouldhaveatransformational, evenrevolutionary,effectonspaceaccessforthenation(s)thatdevelop(s)it. SBSPcannotbeconstructedwithoutsafe,frequent(daily/weekly),cheap,andreliableaccessto spaceandubiquitousinspaceoperations.Thesheervolumeandnumberofflightsintospace, andtheefficienciesreachedbythosehighvolumesisgamechanging.Byloweringthecostto orbitsosubstantially,andbyprovidingsafeandroutineaccess,entirelynewindustriesand possibilitiesopenup.

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SBSPandlowcost,reliablespaceaccessarecodependent,andadvancesineitherwillcatalyze developmentintheother.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatbyprovidingaccesstoaninexhaustiblestrategicreservoir ofrenewableenergy,SBSPoffersanattractiveroutetoincreasedenergysecurityandassurance. ThereservoirofSpaceBasedSolarPowerisalmostunimaginablyvast,withroomforgrowth farpasttheforeseeableneedsoftheentirehumancivilizationforthenextcenturyandbeyond. InthevicinityofEarth,eachandeveryhourthereare1.366gigawattsofsolarenergy continuouslypouringthrougheverysquarekilometerofspace.Ifoneweretostretchthat aroundthecircumferenceofgeostationaryorbit,that1kmwideringreceivesover210 terawattyearsofpowerannually.Theamountofenergycoursingthroughthatonethinband ofspaceinjustoneyearisroughlyequivalenttotheenergycontainedinALLknown recoverableoilreservesonEarth(approximately250terawattyears),andfarexceedsthe projected30TWofannualdemandinmidcentury.Theenergyoutputofthefusionpowered Sunisbillionsoftimesbeyondthat,anditwilllastforbillionsofyearsordersofmagnitude beyondallotherknownsourcescombined.SpaceBasedSolarPowertapsdirectlyintothe largestknownenergyresourceinthesolarsystem.Thisisnottominimizethedifficultiesand practicalitiesofeconomicallydevelopingandutilizingthisresourceorthetremendoustimeand effortitwouldtaketodoso.Nevertheless,itisimportanttorealizethatthereisatremendous reservoirofenergyclean,renewableenergyavailabletothehumancivilizationifitcan developthemeanstoeffectivelycaptureit. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatinthelongrun,SBSPoffersaviableandattractiverouteto decreasemankindsrelianceonfossilfuels,aswellasprovidesapotentialglobalalternativetowider proliferationofnuclearmaterialsthatwillalmostcertainlyunfoldifmanymorecountriesintheworld transitiontonuclearpowerwithenrichmentinanefforttomeettheirenergyneedswithcarbonneutral sources. Totheextentmankindselectricityisproducedbyfossilfuelsources,SBSPoffersacapability overtimetoreducetherateatwhichhumanityconsumestheplanetsfinitefossilhydrocarbon resources.Whilepresentlyhardtostore,electricityiseasytotransport,andishighlyefficientin conversiontobothmechanicalandthermalenergy.Exceptfortheaviationtransportation infrastructure,virtuallyallofAmericasenergycouldeventuallybedeliveredandconsumedas electricity.Eveningroundtransportation,amovementtowardpluginhybridswouldallowa substantialamountoftraditionalgroundtransportationtobepoweredbySBSPelectricity. Forthoseapplicationsthatfavororrelyuponliquidhydrocarbonfuels,Americasnationallabs arepursuingseveralpromisingavenuesofresearchtomanufacturecarbonneutralsynthetic fuels(synfuels)fromdirectsolarthermalenergyorradiated/electricalSBSP.Thelabinitiatives aredevelopingtechnologiestoefficientlysplitenergyneutralfeedstocksorupgradelower gradefuels(suchasbiofuels)intohigherenergydensityliquidhydrocarbons.Putplainly,SBSP couldbeutilizedtosplithydrogenfromwaterandthecarbonmonoxide(syngas)fromcarbon dioxidewhichcanthenbecombinedtomanufactureanydesiredhydrocarbonfuel,including gasoline,diesel,keroseneandjetfuel.Thistechnologyisstillinitsinfancy,andsignificant investmentwillberequiredtobringthistechnologytoahighleveloftechnicalreadinessand meeteconomicandefficiencygoals. Thistechnologyenablesacarbonneutral(closedcarboncycle)hydrocarboneconomydriven bycleanrenewablesourcesofpower,whichcanutilizetheexistingglobalfuelinfrastructure withoutmodification.Thisopportunityisofparticularinteresttotraditionaloilcompanies.The abilitytouserenewableenergytoserveastheenergyfeedstockforexistingfuels,inacarbon neutralcycle,isatotalgamechangerthatdeservessignificantattention.

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 Bothfossilandfissilesourcesoffersignificantcapabilitiestoourenergymix,butdependence ontheexactmixmustbecarefullymanaged.Likewise,themixabroadmayaffectdomestic security.Whileincreaseduseofnuclearpowerisnotofparticularconcerninnationsthatenjoy theruleoflawandhavefunctioninginternalsecuritymechanisms,itmaybeofgreaterconcern inunstableareasofrougestates.TheUnitedStatesmightconsiderthesecuritychallengesof wideproliferationofenrichmentbasednuclearpowerabroadundesirable.Ifso,havinga viablealternativethatfillsacomparablenichemightbeattractive.Overall,SBSPoffersa hopefulpathtowardreducedfossilandfissilefueldependence. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPoffersalongtermroutetoalleviatethesecurity challengesofenergyscarcity,andahopefulpathtoavertpossiblewarsandconflicts. IftraditionalfossilfuelproductionofpeakssometimethiscenturyastheDepartmentof EnergysownEnergyInformationAgencyhaspredicted,afirstordereffectwouldbesome typeofenergyscarcity.Ifalternativesdonotcomeonlinefastenough,thenpricesand resourcetensionswillincreasewithanegativeeffectontheglobaleconomy,possiblyeven pricingsomenationsoutofthecompetitionforminimumrequirements.Thiscouldincrease thepotentialforfailedstates,particularlyamongthelessdevelopedandpoornations.Itcould alsoincreasethechancesforgreatpowerconflict.TotheextentSBSPissuccessfulintapping anenergysourcewithtremendousgrowthpotential,itoffersanalternativeinthethird dimensiontolessenthechanceofsuchconflicts. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthattotheextenttheUnitedStatesdecidesitwishestolimitits carbonemissions,SBSPoffersapotentialpathforlongtermcarbonmitigation. Thisstudydoesnottakeapositiononanthropogenicclimatechange,whichatthistimestill provokedsignificantdebateamongparticipants,butthereisundeniableinterestinoptionsthat limitcarbonemission.StudiesbyAsakuraetalin2000suggestthatSBSPlifetimecarbon emissions(chieflyinconstruction)areevenmoreattractivethannuclearpower,andthatfor thesameamountofcarbonemission,onecouldinstall60timesthegeneratingcapacity,or alternately,onecouldreplaceexistinggeneratingcapacitywith1/60ththelifetimecarbon emissionofacoalfiredplantwithoutCO2sequestration. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPdoesappeartoaddressasignificantnumberof securityconcernsacrossthepoliticalspectrumbutsuffersfromalackofstrategicvisibility. Frominternationaleconomiccompetitiveness,tomaintenanceofourindustrialbase,toenergy securityandaddressingclimatechange,SBSPisattheintersectionofournationspresent concerns,providingasynergyseldomfoundinotherinitiatives. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatwhiletheUnitedStatesrequiresasuiteofenergyoptions, andwhilemanypotentialoptionsexist,noneofferstheuniquerangeofancillarybenefitsand transformationalcapabilitiesasSBSP. ItispossiblethattheworldsenergyproblemsmaybesolvedwithoutresorttoSBSPby revolutionarybreakthroughsinotherareas,butnoneofthealternativeoptionswillalso simultaneouslycreatetransformationalnationalsecuritycapabilities,openupthespace frontierforcommerce,greatlyenablespacetransportation,enhancehighpaying,hightech jobs,andturnAmericaintoanexporterofenergyandhopeforthecomingcenturies.

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 FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPoffersapathtoaddresstheconcernsoverUS intellectualcompetitivenessinmathandthephysicalsciencesexpressedbytheRisingAbovethe GatheringStormreportbyprovidingatrueManhattanorApolloprojectforenergy. Inabsolutescaleandimplications,itislikelythatSBSPwouldultimatelyexceedboththe ManhattanandApolloprojectswhichestablishedsignificantworkforcesandhelpedtheUS maintainitstechnicalandcompetitivelead.Thecommitteeexpresseditwasdeeply concernedthatthescientificandtechnologicalbuildingblockscriticaltooureconomic leadershipareerodingatatimewhenmanyothernationsaregatheringstrength. SBSP wouldrequireasubstantialtechnicalworkforceofhighpayingjobs.Itwouldrequireexpanded technicaleducationopportunities,anddirectlysupporttheunderlyingaimsoftheAmerican CompetitivenessInitiative. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPdirectlyaddressestheconcernsofthePresidential AerospaceCommissionwhichcalledontheUStobecomeatruespacefaringcivilizationandtopaycloser attentiontoouraerospacetechnicalandindustrialbase,ournationaljewelwhichhasenhancedour security,wealth,travel,andlifestyle. AnSBSPprogramasoutlinedinthisreportisremarkablyconsonantwiththefindingsofthis commission,whichstated:
TheUnitedStatesmustmaintainitspreeminenceinaerospaceresearchandinnovationtobethe globalaerospaceleaderinthe21stcentury.Thiscanonlybeachievedthroughproactive governmentpoliciesandsustainedpublicinvestmentsinlongtermresearchandRDT&E infrastructurethatwillresultinnewbreakthroughaerospacecapabilities.Overthelastseveral decades,theU.S.aerospacesectorhasbeenlivingofftheresearchinvestmentsmadeprimarily fordefenseduringtheColdWarGovernmentpoliciesandinvestmentsinlongtermresearch havenotkeptpacewiththechangingworld.Ournationdoesnothaveboldnationalaerospace technologygoalstofocusandsustainfederalresearchandrelatedinfrastructureinvestments. Thenationneedstocapitalizeontheseopportunities,andthefederalgovernmentneedstolead theeffort.Specifically,itneedstoinvestinlongtermenablingresearchandrelatedRDT&E infrastructure,establishnationalaerospacetechnologydemonstrationgoals,andcreatean environmentthatfostersinnovationandprovidetheincentivesnecessarytoencouragerisk takingandrapidintroductionofnewproductsandservices.

TheAerospaceCommissionrecognizedthatGlobalU.S.aerospaceleadershipcanonlybe achievedthroughinvestmentsinourfuture,includingourindustrialbase,workforce,longterm researchandnationalinfrastructure,andthatgovernmentmustcommittoincreasedand sustainedinvestmentandmustfacilitateprivateinvestmentinournationalaerospacesector. TheCommissionconcludedthatthenationwillhavetobeaspacefaringnationinordertobe thegloballeaderinthe21stcenturythatourfreedom,mobility,andqualityoflifewilldepend onit,andtherefore,recommendedthattheUnitedStatesboldlypioneernewfrontiersin aerospacetechnology,commerceandexploration.Theyexplicitlyrecommendedhatthe UnitedStatescreateaspaceimperativeandthatNASAandDoDneedtomaketheinvestments

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necessaryfordevelopingandsupportingfuturelaunchcapabilitiestorevitalizeU.S.space launchinfrastructure,aswellasprovideIncentivestoCommercialSpace.Thereportcalledon governmentandtheinvestmentcommunitymustbecomemoresensitivetocommercial opportunitiesandproblemsinspace.Recognizingthenewrealitiesofahighlydynamic, competitiveandglobalmarketplace,thereportnotedthatthefederalgovernmentis dysfunctionalwhenaddressing21stcenturyissuesfromalongterm,nationalandglobal perspective.Itsuggestedanincreaseinpublicfundingforlongtermresearchandsupporting infrastructureandanaccelerationoftransitionofgovernmentresearchtotheaerospace sector,recognizingthatgovernmentmustassistindustrybyprovidinginsightintoitslongterm researchprograms,andindustryneedstoprovidetogovernmentonitsresearchpriorities.It urgedthefederalgovernmentmustremoveunnecessarybarrierstointernationalsalesof defenseproducts,andimplementotherinitiativesthatstrengthentransnationalpartnerships toenhancenationalsecurity,notingthatU.S.nationalsecurityandprocurementpolicies representsomeofthemostburdensomerestrictionsaffectingU.S.industrycompetitiveness. Privatepublicpartnershipswerealsotobeencouraged.Italsonotedthatwithoutconstant vigilanceandinvestment,vitalcapabilitiesinourdefenseindustrialbasewillbelost,andso recommendedafencedamountofresearchanddevelopmentbudget,andsignificantly increaseintheinvestmentinbasicaerospaceresearchtoincreaseopportunitiestogain experienceintheworkforcebyenablingbreakthroughaerospacecapabilitiesthrough continuousdevelopmentofnewexperimentalsystemswithorwithoutarequirementfor production.Suchexperimentationwasdeemedtobeessentialtosustainthecriticalskillsto conceive,develop,manufactureandmaintainadvancedsystemsandpotentiallyprovide expandedcapabilitytothewarfighter.Atopprioritywasincreasedinvestmentinbasic aerospaceresearchwhichfostersanefficient,secure,andsafeaerospacetransportation system,andsuggestedtheestablishmentofnationaltechnologydemonstrationgoals,which includedreducingthecostandtimetospaceby50%.Itconcludedthat,Americamustexploit andexplorespacetoassurenationalandplanetarysecurity,economicbenefitandscientific discovery.Atthesametime,theUnitedStatesmustovercometheobstaclesthatjeopardizeits abilitytosustainleadershipinspace.AnSBSPprogramwouldbeapowerfulexpressionofthis imperative. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPdirectlysupportsthearticulatedgoalsoftheU.S. NationalSpacePolicyandVisionforSpaceExplorationwhichseekstopromoteinternationaland commercialparticipationinexplorationthatfurthersU.S.scientific,security,andeconomicinterests, andextendshumanpresenceacrossthesolarsystem. NootheropportunitysoclearlyoffersapathtorealizetheVisionasarticulatedbyDr. Marburger,ScienceAdvisortothePresident:AsIseeit,questionsaboutthevisionboildown towhetherwewanttoincorporatetheSolarSysteminoureconomicsphere,ornot.Our nationalpolicy,declaredbyPresidentBushandendorsedbyCongresslastDecemberinthe NASAauthorizationact,affirmsthat,ThefundamentalgoalofthisvisionistoadvanceU.S. scientific,security,andeconomicintereststhrougharobustspaceexplorationprogram.Soat leastfornowthequestionhasbeendecidedintheaffirmative.Nootheropportunityislikely totapamultitrilliondollarmarketthatcouldprovideanenginetoemplaceinfrastructurethat couldtrulyextendhumanpresenceacrossthesolarsystemandenabletheuseoflunarand otherspaceresourcesascalledforintheVision. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPofferssignificantopportunitiesforpositive internationalleadershipandpartnership,atonceprovidingapositiveagendaforenergy,development, climate,andspace. IftheUnitedStatesisinterestedinenergy,sustainabledevelopment,climatechange,andthe peacefuluseofspace,theinternationalcommunityisevenhungrierforsolutionstothese

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issues.WhiletheUSmaybeabletoaffordincreasedenergyprices,theveryavailabilityand stabilityofenergyisathreattoothercountriesinternalstabilityandabilityfordevelopment. SBSPoffersawaytobypassmuchterrestrialelectricaldistributioninfrastructureinvestment andtopurchaseenergyfromareliablesourceatreceiverstationsthatcanbebuiltbyavailable domesticlaborpoolswithoutsignificantadverseenvironmentaleffects,includinggreenhouse gasemissions. Finding:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatoneimmediateapplicationofspacebasedsolarpower wouldbetobroadcastpowerdirectlytoenergydeprivedareasandtopersonsperformingdisaster relief,nationbuilding,andotherhumanitarianmissionsoftenassociatedwiththeUnitedNationsand relatednongovernmentalorganizations. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatduringsubsequentphasesofthe SBSPfeasibilitystudyopportunitiesforbroadinternationalpartnershipswithnonstateand transstateactorsshouldbeexplored.Inparticular,cooperationwiththeUnitedNationsand relatedorganizationstoemploySBSPinsupportofvarioushumanitarianreliefeffortssupport consistentwiththeU.N.MillenniumObjectivesmustbeassessedwiththehelpofaffiliated professionals. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPisanideathatappearstogeneratesignificantinterest andsupportacrossabroadvarietyofsectors. Comparedtootherideaseitherforspaceexplorationoralternativeenergy,SpaceBasedSolar Powerispresentlynotapubliclywellknownidea,inpartbecauseithasnoorganizational advocatewithingovernment,andhasnotreceivedanysubstantialfundingorpublicattention forasignificantperiodoftime. Nevertheless,DoDreviewteamleaderswerevirtuallyoverwhelmedbytheinterestinSpace BasedSolarPowerthattheydiscovered.Whatbeganasasmallemailgroupbecame unmanageableasthesocialnetwork&mapofexpertiseexpandedandwordspread.Tocope, studyleaderswereforcedtomovetoanonlinecollaborativegroupwithnearlydailyrequests fornewaccountaccess,ultimatelygrowingtoover170aerospaceandpolicyexpertsall contributingprobono.Thisgroupbecamesolarge,andtheneedtomorecloselyexamine certainquestionssoacute,thatthegrouphadtobesplitintofouradditionalgroups.Asword spreadandenthusiasmgrewinthespaceadvocacycommunity,studyleaderswereinvitedto furtherexpandtoanopenweblogincollaborationwiththeSpaceFrontierFoundation.The amountofmediainterestwassubstantial.Activitywassointensethattotalemailtrafficfor thestudyleadscouldbeashighas200SBSPrelatedemailsaday,andthesourcesofinterest wereverydiverse.

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TherewasclearinterestfrompotentialmilitarygroundcustomerstheArmy,Marines,and USAFSecurityForces,andinstallationspersonnel,allofwhichhaveaninterestinclean,low environmentalimpactenergysources,andespeciallysourcesthatareagilewithoutalong, vulnerable,andcontinuinglogisticschain. Therewasclearinterestfrombothtraditionalbigaerospace,andtheentrepreneurialspace community.IndividualsfromeachofthemajorAmericanaerospacecompaniesparticipated andcontributed.ThesubjectwasanagendaitemfortheSpaceResourcesRoundtable,a dedicatedindustrygroup. Studyleadersweremadeawareofsignificantandseriousdiscussionsbetweenaerospace companiesandseveralmajorenergyandconstructioncompaniesbothinandoutsideofUnited States. Asthestudyprogressedthestudyteamwasinvitedtobriefinvariouspolicycirclesandthink tanks,includingtheMarshallInstitute,theCenterfortheStudyofthePresidency,theEnergy ConsensusGroup,theNationalDefenseIndustryAssociation,theDefenseScienceBoard,the DepartmentofCommercesOfficeofCommercialSpace,andtheOfficeofScienceand TechnologyPolicy(OSTP). Interestintheideawasexceptionallystronginthespaceadvocacycommunity,particularlyin theSpaceFrontierFoundation(SFF),NationalSpaceSociety(NSS),SpaceDevelopment SteeringCommittee,andAerospaceTechnologyWorkingGroup(ATWG),allofwhichhostedor participatedineventsrelatedtothissubjectduringthestudyperiod.

Thereisreasontothinkthatthisinterestmayextendtothegreaterpublic.Themostrecent surveyindicatingpublicinterestinSBSPwasconductedin2005whenrespondentswereasked wheretheyprefertoseetheirspacetaxdollarsspent.Themostpopularresponsewas collectingenergyfromspace,withsupportfrom35%ofthosepolledtwicethesupportforthe secondmostpopularresponse,planetarydefense(17%)andthreetimesthesupportforthe currentspaceexplorationgoalsoftheMoon(4%)/Mars(10%). Howdoesoneaccountforsuchsignificantinterest?PerhapsitisbecauseSBSPliesatthe intersectionofmissionaryandmercenaryappealingbothtomansidealismandpragmatism,

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theUnitedStatesspecialmissionintheworldandhercitizensfaithinbusinessand technology.Asanambitiousandoptimisticproject,itexcitestheimaginationwithitsscaleand grandeur,bestingAmericaspreviousprojects,andopeningnewfrontiers. SuchinterestgoesdirectlytotheconcernsoftheAerospacecommission,whichstated,The aerospaceindustryhasalwaysbeenareflectionofthespiritofAmerica.Ithasbeen,and continuestobe,asectorofpioneersdrawntothechallengeofnewfrontiersinscience,air, space,andengineering.Forthisnationtomaintainitspresentproudheritageandleadershipin theglobalarena,wemustremaindedicatedtoastrongandprosperousaerospaceindustry.A healthyandvigorousaerospaceindustryalsoholdsapromiseforthefuture,bykindlinga passionwithinouryouththatbeckonsthemtoreachforthestarsandtherebyassureour nationsdestiny.

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FOCUSAREAS
SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY

IllustrationbyMaficStudios

WhetherLunar,LEO,orGEObased,whetheratradiooropticalfrequencies,SpaceBasedSolarPoweris animmenseandcrossdisciplinarytechnologicalchallenge,requiringcontributionsfrommanydiverse disciplines(foracompletediscussion,seeAppendixA).ASpaceSolarPowerSatelliteisahuge construction,requiringexpertiseinlargestructures,controlandorbitaldynamics.Itsconstruction requiressophisticatedtechniquesandcarefullogistics.Itspowergeneration,beitsolardynamic, thermoelectric,orphotovoltaic,requiresexpertiseinsolidstateelectronics,opticsand thermodynamics.SPSpowercollectionanddistributionrequireelectricalengineering,andthe conversionoftheelectricalpowergeneratedinspaceintoacoherentwirelesspowerbeamrequires significantknowledgeofthephysicsofelectromagneticwavepropagation.Eachofthesechallengesin turnalsodependsoncompetenceinadvancedmaterialsciences.Inallareas,therehasbeen tremendousprogresssincetheideawasfirstproposedbyDr.PeterGlaserin1968andsomeofthe mostimpressiveleapshavetakenplacesincetheFreshLookstudyinthe1990s. InevaluatingthelongtermpotentialofSBSP,itisinstructivetoconsiderthatglobalspaceutilitiesthat aretakenforgrantedtodaysuchasGlobalPositioningSystem(GPS),andGeostationarySatellites(The ClarkeBelt)wereoncescoffedatandtreatedasmeresciencefictionuntiltechnologywasableto catchup.Here,thenaretheS&TfindingsoftheinterimSBSPstudy: FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSpaceBasedSolarPowerisacomplexengineering challenge,butrequiresnofundamentalscientificbreakthroughsornewphysicstobecomeareality. SpaceBasedSolarPowerisacomplicatedengineeringprojectwithsubstantialchallengesanda complextradespacenotunlikeconstructionofalargemodernaircraft,skyscraper,or hydroelectricdam,butdoesnotappeartopresentanyfundamentalphysicalbarriersorrequire scientificdiscoveriestowork.Whilethestudygroupbelievesthecasefortechnicalfeasibilityis verystrong,thisdoesnotautomaticallyimplyeconomicviabilityandaffordabilitythis requiresevenmorestringenttechnicalrequirements. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatsignificantprogressintheunderlyingtechnologieshas beenmadesincepreviousgovernmentexaminationofthistopic,andthedirectionandpaceofprogress continuestobepositiveandinmanycasesaccelerating.

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Significantrelevantadvanceshaveoccurredintheareasofcomputationalscience,material science,photovoltaics,privateandcommercialspaceaccess,spacemaneuverability,power management,robotics,andmanyothers.

Theseadvanceshaveincluded(a)improvementsinPVefficiencyfromabout10%(1970s)to morethan40%(2007);(b)increasesinroboticscapabilitiesfromsimpleteleoperated manipulatorsinafewdegreesoffreedom(1970s)tofullyautonomousroboticswithinsect classintelligenceand30100degreesoffreedom(2007);(c)increasesintheefficiencyofsolid statedevicesfromaround20%(1970s)toasmuchas70%90%(2007);(d)improvementsin materialsforstructuresfromsimplealuminum(1970s)toadvancedcompositesincluding nanotechnologycomposites(2007);andmanyotherareas.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatmanydifferentarchitecture/constructionproposalshave emergedsincetheoriginalphotovoltaicatgeostationaryorbitconceptwasfirstproposedbyDr.Peter Glaserin1968.Today,therearetwomajorschoolsofthoughtregardingsystemplacement:Earthorbit orlunarbased.Additionally,therearemanywhofeelthattheutilizationoflunarresourcestoconstruct eitherMoonbasedorEarthorbitbasedsystemsisacredible,evolutionarypathwayforSBSP.Finally, themechanismforcapturingsolarenergycanbeaccomplishedoneoftwoprimaryways:via photovoltaics(concentratororthinfilm)orsolarthermaldynamicsystems.Eachofthesearchitecture optionshasprosandcons,andassigningmerittooneovertheotherisbeyondthescopeofthisPhaseo InterimReport(foramoredetaileddiscussionregardingpertinentdesigntradequestions,seeAppendix ASBSPDesignConsiderationsandTradeoffs). FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatoveradecadehaselapsedsinceasystematicstudytooka freshlookandclearlystudiedthecurrentstatusofcomponenttechnologies.Thisresultsinalackof precisionofthetruestateoftheartincomponenttechnologiesforintegrateddesigntradesrequiredto buildaroadmapforsystematicriskreduction. ThetechnicalchallengesassociatedwithconstructionofaSpaceSolarPowerSatellitearewell understoodandcanbeidentifiedforsystematicriskreductionandretirement.Theseinclude: demonstrationofpowerbeamingatsignificantlevelsoversignificantdistances;robotic&tele

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operatorconstructionofverylargespacestructures;highpower/lowmassinspacesolar powergeneration,managementandstorage;andubiquitousspaceaccessandoperations. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheUnitedStatesshould conductasurveyofstateoftheartcomponenttechnologies,identifymajortypesof satellitedesignsthatarefeasibletobuildusingknowntechnology,andgeneratea roadmaptoinformfurtherdecisionsforrationalretirementofriskforfullsizedSBSP systems.Suchaneffortislikelytocostapproximately$500,000to$2million.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatovertwodecadeshaveelapsedsincecontractorledstudies performeddetailedandintegratedsystemdesigns. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheUnitedStatesshouldpay foratleasttwoindependent,butcoordinatedcontractorstudiesofupdatedSBSP referencedesignsinthe110GWrange.Suchaneffortislikelytocostapproximately$10 million. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatretirementoftheSBSPtechnicalchallengesbegetsother significantstrategicbenefitsforexploration,commerceanddefense,thatinandofthemselvesmay justifyanationalprogram. Atpresent,theUnitedStateshasverylimitedcapabilitiestobuildlargestructures,verylarge aperturesorveryhighpowersystemsinorbit.Ithasverylimitedinspacemaneuverand operationalcapability,andverylimitedaccesstospace.Itcannotatpresentmovelarge amountsofmassintoEarthorbit.TheUnitedStatescorrespondinglyhasextremelylimited capabilitiesforinspacemanufacturingandconstructionorinsituspaceresourceutilization.It hasnocapabilityforbeamedpowerorpropulsion.SBSPdevelopmentwouldadvancethestate oftheartinalloftheabovecompetencies. Theexpertisegainedindevelopinglargestructuresforspacebasedsolarpowercouldallow entirelynewtechnologiesforapplicationssuchasimageandrealtimesurfaceandairborne objecttrackingservices,aswellashighbandwidthtelecommunications,highdefinition televisionandradio,andmobile,broadcastservices.Itwouldenableentirelynew architectures,suchaspowerplatformsthatprovideservicestomultiplepayloads,autonomous selfconstructingstructures,orwirelesscooperativeformations.TheSolarElectricTransfer Vehicles(SETV)neededtolifttheSpaceSolarPowerSatellitesoutoflowearthorbit,and perhapsevenformitscomponents,wouldcompletelyrevolutionizeourabilitytomovelarge payloadswithintheEarthMoonsystem. Thetechnologytobeampoweroverlongdistancescouldlowerapplicationsatelliteweights andexpandtheenvelopeforEarthandspacebasedpowerbeamingapplications.Atruly developedSpaceBasedSolarPowerinfrastructurewouldopenupentirelynewexplorationand commercialpossibilities,notonlybecauseoftheaccesswhichwillbediscussedinthesection oninfrastructure,butbecauseofthepoweravailableonorbit,whichwouldenableconceptsas diverseascomet/asteroidprotectionsystems,deorbitofspacedebris,spacetospacepower utilities,andbeamedpropulsionpossibilitiesincludingfartermconceptsasatrueinterstellar probesuchasDr.RobertForwardsStarWispConcept. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatindividualSBSPtechnologiesaresufficientlymaturetoflya basicproofofconceptdemonstrationwithin46yearsandasubstantialpowerdemonstrationasearly as20172020,thoughthesearelikelytocostbetween$5B$10Bintotal.Thisisaseriouschallengefora

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capableagencywithatransformationalagenda.Aproposedspiraldemonstrationprojectcanbefound inAppendixB. Nogovernmentorprivateentityhasevercompletedasignificantspacebornedemonstration, understandabletothepublic,toprovideproofinprincipleandcreatestrategicvisibilityforthe concept(thestudygroupdiddiscoveroneEuropeancommercialconsortiumthatwas attemptingtobuildaMWclassinspacedemonstrationwithinthenext5years).Whileaseries ofexperimentsforspecificcomponentselection,maturation,andspacequalificationisalsoin order,aconvincinginspacedemonstrationisrequiredtomaturethisconceptandcatalyze actionablecommercialinterestanddevelopment.Therearealsocriticalconceptunknowns thatcanonlybeuncoveredbyflyingactualhardware. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Governmentshould sponsoraformallyfunded,followonarchitecturestudywithindustryandinternational partnersthatcouldleadtoacompetitionforanorbitaldemonstrationofthekey underlyingtechnologiesandsystemsneededforaninitial550MWecontinuousSBSP system.

Thephysicsofmicrowavepowertransmissionatexpectedfrequencies(2.455.8GHz)require averylargetransmitter(>0.5kmdiameteratfullscale)regardlessoftheamountofpower transmitted,andthisisachiefdriverofsystemmass. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatoneminimumcriterionfora meaningfuldemonstrationmustensureitisnotathrowawaysystem,andprovidessome significantleavebehindcapabilitythatisclearlyonthepathtoafullsystem.Less expensivedemosarepossiblebutmaybecounterproductiveastheywouldnotmeetall oftherequiredcriteria.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthattheunderlyingtechnicalchallengesrelatedtoSBSPare identifiableandtechnicalchallengereductionpathwayscanbedescribed. DoDandotherongoingU.S.GovernmentandinternationalR&Deffortsareindependently reducingSBSPtechnicalbarriersviaS&Tdevelopmentforothergoals.However,thereisno singleentityforidentifyingandtrackingtheseindependentdevelopmentsforthesolepurpose ofSBSPapplicability. Numeroustechnologicaladvancesareemergingforeachofthetechnicalchallenges(example: entrepreneurialprivatespaceaccessventures,highlyefficientconcentratorphotovoltaics,very lowweightthinfilmphotovoltaicsystems,etc.). o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Government establishaformalactivityforcataloguing,monitoring,andengagingonmajorS&T developmentswhichenableSBSP.EffortshouldbeginwithDoDandU.S.Government activities,andeventuallyexpandasappropriatetoincludeallAlliedandotherpotential partnernations.

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POLICY&LEGAL
SpaceBasedSolarPowerisnotasmallproject,butmightbeconsideredcomparableinscaletothe nationalrailroads,highwaysystem,orelectrificationprojectthantheManhattanorApolloendeavors. However,unlikesuchpurelynationalprojects,thisprojectalsohascomponentsthatareanalogousto thedevelopmentofthehighvolumeinternationalcivilaviationsystem.Suchalargeendeavorcarries withitsignificantinternationalandenvironmentalimplicationsandsowouldrequireacorresponding amountofpoliticalwilltorealizeitsbenefits. Itisthereforeimportanttoconsiderthreecorrespondingquestions.First,doesthefundamental conceptofSpaceBasedSolarPowersufficientlyaddressthedefiningstrategicproblemsandinterests ofourtimetointerestabroadspectrumofleadersandpolicymakersbothnationallyand internationally?Second,isthereapotentialcoalitionofinterestedpartiesinthepublicandprivate sector?Andthird,doesthereappeartobeapathtowardanenablinglegalandpolicyframework? FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatnooutrightpolicyorlegalshowstoppersexisttoprevent thedevelopmentofSBSP.FullscaleSBSP,however,willrequireapermissiveinternationalregime,and constructionofthisnewregimeisineverywayachallengenearlyequaltotheconstructionofthe satelliteitself. Theinterimreviewdidnotuncoveranyhardshowstoppersintheinternationallegalor regulatoryregime.ManynationsareactivelystudyingSpaceBasedSolarPower.Canada,the UK,France,theEuropeanSpaceAgency,Japan,Russia,India,andChina,aswellasseveral equatorialnationshaveallexpressedpastorpresentinterestinSBSP.International conferencessuchastheUnitedNationsconnectedUNISPACEIIIarecontinuallyheldonthe subjectandthereisevenaUNaffiliatednongovernmentalorganization,theSunsatEnergy Council,thatisdedicatedtopromotingthestudyanddevelopmentofSBSP.TheInternational UnionofRadioScience(URSI)haspublishedatleastonedocumentsupportingtheconcept, andastudyofthesubjectbytheInternationalTelecommunicationsUnion(ITU)ispresently ongoing. Thereseemstobesignificantglobalinterestinpromotingthepeacefuluseofspace, sustainabledevelopment,andcarbonneutralenergysources,indicatingthatperhapsanopen avenueexistsfortheUnitedStatestoexercisesoftpowerviathedevelopmentofSBSP. Thattherearenoshowstoppersshouldinnowayimplythatanadequateorsupportiveregime isinplace.Sucharegimemustaddressliability,indemnity,licensing,techtransfer,frequency allocations,orbitalslotassignment,assemblyandparkingorbits,andtransitcorridors.These willlikelyinvolvesignificantincreasesinSpaceSituationalAwareness,datasharing,Space TrafficControl,andmightincludesomesignificantsimilaritiestotheInternationalCivilAviation Organizations(ICAO)roleforfacilitatingsafeinternationalairtravel.Verylikelythe constructionofatrulyadequateregimewilltakeaslongasthesatellitetechnology developmentitself,andsoconsiderationmustbegiventobeginningworkontheconstruction ofsuchaframeworkimmediately. o Recommendation:Thecomplexityofnegotiatinganytypeofinternationallegaland policyagreementsnecessaryforthedevelopmentofSBSPwillrequiresignificantamounts oftime(510years).TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatthepolicyandlegal frameworkdevelopmentshouldbeginsimultaneouslywithanyscienceandtechnology developmenteffortstoensurethatintangibleissuesdonotdelayemploymentof technologysolutions.

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FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatalthoughtherewasuniversalagreementthatinternational cooperationwashighlydesirableandnecessary,therewassignificantdisagreementonwhatformthe cooperationshouldtake. Therearemultiplevaluestobebalancedwithrespecttointernationalcooperation.Thevarious goodstobeoptimizedincludeefficiency,speedofdevelopment,costsavings,existing alliances,newpartnerships,generalgoodwill,Americanjobsandbusinessopportunities, cooperation,safety&assurance,commercialautonomy,andfreedomofaction.Addingmore andnewpartnersmayincreasegoodwill,butaddadditionallayersofapprovalandslow development.Startingwithestablishedalliancesandsharedvaluesfulfillssomeexpectations andviolatesothers.Thespectrumofparticipationrangesfrombeginningwithademarche beforetheUNGeneralAssembly,toprivatelyapproachingAmericasclosestallies,toarranging multinationalcorporateconferences.ManyparticipantsfelttheInternationalSpaceStation (ISS)overvaluedcooperationforcooperationssake,andtookmutualdependencytoofar. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundinordertosuccessfullyaddressmajorworldproblemsinenergy, environmentalandnationalsecurity,theU.S.needstoidentifyandthenreduceoreliminateall unnecessarybarrierstoeffectiveinternationalcooperationon,andprivateindustryinvestmentin,the developmentofSBSP.Regardlessoftheformofinternationalcooperation,SpaceBasedSolarPower willrequiremodificationorspecialtreatmentunderInternationalTraffickinginArmsRegulations(ITAR). PartnershipsbetweenU.S.andforeigncorporationsareoftenmucheasiertocreateand implementthangovernmenttogovernmentlevelpartnerships,andmoreeffectivewhenthe purposeisfosteringeconomicallyaffordablegoodsandservices. ApplicationoftheInternationalTrafficArmsRegulations(ITAR)mayconstituteamajorbarrier toeffectivepartnershipsinSBSPandnegativelyimpactnationalsecurity.RightnowITAR greatlyrestrictsandcomplicatesallspacerelatedbusiness,asittreatsalllaunchandsatellite technologiesasarms.ThishashadtheeffectofcausingAmericascompetitorstodevelop ITARfreeproducts,andhadanegativeimpactonourdomesticspaceindustries,whichcanno longercompeteonlevelground.Manyparticipantsinthefeasibilitystudywereveryvocalthat includingsatelliteandlaunchtechnologyinITARhashadacounterproductiveanddetrimental effectontheU.S.snationalsecurityandcompetitivenesslosingcontrolandmarketshare, andclosingoureyesandearstotheinnovationsofthecompetitionwhilesellingourselvesona nationalillusionofunassailablespacesuperiority.Effectivecollaboration,evenwithallieson somethingofthislevel,couldnottakeplaceeffectivelywithoutsomespecialconsiderationor modification. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendstheearlyinclusionofglobal corporationsfromAmericasalliesaspartnersinthedevelopmentofthisnewstrategic energyresource.U.S.corporationsshouldbeencouragedtodeveloppartnershipswith foreignownedcorporationsofAmericasclosestandmosttrustedallies.Inorderto achievethisobjective,U.S.industryshouldbeexemptfromITARwhenworkingwithour closestandmosttrustedalliesonSBSPsystems.U.S.governmentfundedSBSP technologymaturationeffortsshouldnotincludebuyAmericaclausesprohibiting participationofforeigncompaniesassupplierstoU.S.bidders.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPdevelopmentoverthepast30yearshasmadelittle progressbecauseitfallsbetweenthecracksofcurrentlydefinedresponsibilitiesoffederal bureaucracies,andhaslackedanorganizationaladvocatewithintheUSGovernment. ThecurrentbureaucraticlanesaredrawninsuchawaytoexcludethelikelihoodofSBSP development.NASAscharterandfocusisclearlyonroboticandhumanexplorationtoexecute

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theMoonMarsVisionforSpaceExploration,andiscognizantthatitisnotAmericas DepartmentofEnergy(DOE).DOErightlyrecognizesthatthehardchallengestoSBSPallliein spacefaringactivitiessuchasspaceaccess,andspacetoEarthpowerbeaming,noneofwhich areitscorecompetencies,andwouldmakeitdependentuponaspacecapableagency.The OfficeofSpaceCommercializationintheDepartmentofCommerceisnotsufficientlyresourced forthismission,andnodedicatedSpaceDevelopmentAgencyexistsasofyet.DoDhasmuch ofthenecessarydevelopmentexpertiseinhouse,andclearlyhasaresponsibilitytolooktothe longtermsecurityoftheUnitedStates,butitisalsonotthecountrysDepartmentofEnergy, andmustfocusitselfonwarpreventionandwarfightingconcerns. Asimilarproblemexistsintheprivatesector.USspacecompaniesareusedtosmalllaunch marketswiththegovernmentasaprimarycustomerandadvocate,anddonothavea developedbusinessmodelorspeakinacommonlanguagewiththeenergycompanies.The energycompanieshaveadequatecapitalandunderstandtheirmarket,butdonotunderstand theaerospacesector.Onerequiresademonstratedmarket,whiletheotherrequiresa demonstratedtechnicalcapability.Withoutatrustedagenttomediatethecollaborationand serveasanadvocateforsupportivepolicy,progressislikelytobeslow. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheUSGovernmentreorder rolesandresponsibilitiestospecifySBSPandevelopmentchampion;oneoptionmight includedadedicatedsolepurposeorganization.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatnoexistingU.S.federalagencyhasaspecificmandateto investinthedevelopmentofSpaceBasedSolarPower. Lackingaspecificmandateandclearresponsibility,noU.S.federalagencyhasanexistingor plannedprogramofresearch,technologyinvestment,ordevelopmentrelatedtoSpaceBased SolarPower.Instead,theresponsibilitiesforvariousaspectsofSBSParedistributedamong variousfederalagencies. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheUSGovernmentshould formaSBSPPartnershipCouncilthatconsistsofallfederalagencieswithresponsibilities relevanttosuccessfullydevelopingSBSP.TheSBSPPartnershipCouncilmustbechaired andledbyanexistingornewlycreatedsinglepurposecivilianfederalagency. Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheUSGovernmentshould taskoneormorefederalagenciesforinvestinginkeytechnologiesneededforSBSP.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatwhenpeoplearefirstintroducedtothissubject,thekey expressedconcernsarecenteredaroundsafety,possibleweaponizationofthebeam,andvulnerability ofthesatellite,allofwhichmustbeaddressedwitheducation. Becausethemicrowavebeamsareconstantandconversionefficiencieshigh,theycanbe beamedatdensitiessubstantiallylowerthanthatofsunlightandstilldelivermoreenergyper areaoflandusagethanterrestrialsolarenergy.Thepeakdensityofthebeamislikelytobe significantlylessthannoonsunlight,andattheedgeoftherectennaequivalenttotheleakage allowedandacceptedbyhundredsofmillionsintheirmicrowaveovens.Thislowenergy densityandchoiceofwavelengthalsomeansthatbiologicaleffectsarelikelyextremelysmall, comparabletotheheatingonemightfeelifsittingsomedistancefromacampfire.

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 Thephysicsofelectromagneticenergybeamingisuncompromising,andeconomiesofscale makethebeamveryunsuitableasasecretweapon.Concernscanberesolvedthroughan inspectionregimeandbetterspacesituationalawarenesscapabilities.Thedistancefromthe geostationarybeltissovastthatbeamsdivergebeyondthecoherenceandpower concentrationusefulforaweapon.Thebeamcanalsobedesignedinsuchamannerthatit requiresapilotsignaleventoconcentratetoitsveryweaklevel.Withoutthepilotsignalthe microwavebeamwouldcertainlydiffuseandcanbedesignedwithadditionalfailsafecutoff mechanisms.Thelikelihoodofthebeamwanderingoveracityisextremelylow,andevenif occurringwouldbeextremelyanticlimactic. Certainlyboththerectennaandsatellitearevulnerabletoattack,justlikeeveryothertypeof energyinfrastructure.However,ittakessignificantlymoreresourcesandsophisticationto attackanassetingeostationaryorbitthanitdoestoattackanuclearpowerplant,oilrefinery orsupertankeronEarth.Thesatelliteisalsoverylargeandconstructedofanumberofsimilar redundantparts,sotheattackwouldneedtobeveryprecise.Anattackonthereceiving antennawouldprobablybetheleastvalueaddedattack,sinceitisadiffuseanddistributed arrayofidenticalmodularelementsthatcanbequicklyrepairedwhilethereceivingstation continuestooperate.Nevertheless,thebestroutestosecurityareadiversityandredundancy ofcleanenergysources,andacooperativeinternationalregimewherethosewhoarecapable ofdamagingaSBSPsystemalsohaveaninterestinpreservingthenewinfrastructurefortheir ownbenefit.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatalthoughSBSPholdsgreatpromisetodelivercleanand renewableenergytoallnationsoftheworld,thepotentialenvironmentalimpactsofthevarious systemsandmitigationoptionstominimizethoseimpactsrequiregreaterstudy. PotentialenvironmentalimpactsforthedevelopmentanddeploymentofSBSPtechnologyhave beenpreliminarilydefined.DepartmentofEnergyreportsfromthe1970sandearly1980s,and NASAreportsfrom19952003,aswellasnumerousinternationalreports,identifythepossible effectsofpowerbeamingonastronomy,atmosphere,biologicalsystems,electromagneticsystems, generalenvironmentalimpact,landuse,effectsonspaceworkers,effectsongeosynchronous satellites,etcetera.WhiletheDOEandEPAconductedextensivehealtheffectsstudies,these studieswerenot100%completenordefinitive,didnotcoverallpotentialSBSPtechnical approaches,andarenowacoupledecadesold.

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Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Government: Muststudythepotentialenvironmentalimpactsofthevariousapproachesearly enoughtohelpmakeeffectivechoicesbetweenthevarioustechnical alternatives.Thesestudiesshouldbeledbyagencieswiththerequiredscientific expertise,credibility,andindependence,andneedtoincludeallrelevant stakeholders. Environmentalstudiesshouldbepiggybackedtodemonstrationsofthe technologiestominimizetheenvironmentalimpactintheeventuallargescale useofSBSP;therefore,maximizingtheenvironmentalbenefitofSBSP. Shouldtaskoneormorefederalagenciesforresearchandassessmentofthe potentialenvironmentalimpactsofSBSP. Shouldperformathoroughreviewofallelectromagneticenergyexposure literature,includingDoDresources. ShouldidentifyandengagewithUSGovernmentagenciesandotheracademic institutionscapableofconductingadditionalresearchtoaddresspublicconcern. Shouldinclude,andcommunicatewith,allenvironmentalstakeholdersinthe researchagenda,includingmajorenvironmentalorganizations. Shouldbeopenandtransparentaboutthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsof SBSP,andthecurrentstatusofwhatweknowanddonotknow.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPappearstobeanenvironmentallyattractiveoption, butonethattheenvironmentalcommunityislargelyunawareoforengagedwith. Ifsolarisconsideredgreenenergy,thenSBSPcouldbeconsideredtheultimategreen energy.SBSP,ifmanufacturedonEarth(andnotinspaceusinglunarorasteroidalmaterial), willofcoursehaveverysimilarmanufacturing/pollutionimpactsasgroundsolarexceptthat perunitofdeliveredenergy,muchlessresidualpollutionneedstobeproducedbecausemuch lesssolarcollectionarea(andthereforesolarcollectormaterials)isrequiredwithSBSP.While theadvantagesofadistributedgridofgroundsolarareclear,especiallyforpeakpowerduring themiddleoftheday,spacesolarhasseveraldistinctadvantagesovergroundsolar,suchasits appropriatenessforbaseloadpower(theminimumpowerrequiredbythegridatalltimes). SBSPsprimaryenvironmentalbenefitisintheformofnearlycarbonfree,renewable energy. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsengagementwith representativesofseveralwellestablishednationalenvironmentalorganizationsto determinegeneralsupportlevelsforSBSP.

GeostationarySBSPexperiencesnearlycontinuoussunlightandthereforeisavailable morethan99%ofthetimeandsodoesnotincurthesamedifficultiesofstoragefor terrestrialsolar,whichrequiresacorrespondingincreaseinovercapacity.

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 Evenconsideringtheenergycostoflaunch,SBSPsystemsdopaybacktheenergyto constructandlaunch.Infact,SBSPsystemshavenetenergypaybacktimes(<1year exceptforverysmall0.5GWplants)wellwithintheirmultidecadeoperational lifetimes.Paybacktimesareequivalentandperhapsfasterthanterrestrialsolar thermalpower(Zertaetal,2004).Thereasonforthisisthatanequivalentareain spacereceives810timestheenergyfluxfortheannualaverage,andasmuchas3040 timestheenergyfluxinagivenweekthanthesamearealocatedonafavorableplace onthegroundafterconsideringday/night,summer/winter,anddust/weathercycles. Prioranalysessuggestthattheresultingenergypayback(timetorecovertheenergy usedindeployingapowersystem)forSBSPisequivalenttoorlessthan(perhapsas littleas)comparablegroundsolarbaseloadpowersystems(whichincludesenergy storagecapacityfor24/7usage,andpaybackin1.61.7years). Evenafterlossesinwirelesspowertransmission,thereducedneedforovercapacity andstoragetomakeupforperiodsoflowilluminationtranslatesintoamuchlower landusagevs.terrestrialsolarforanequivalentamountofdeliveredenergy.

TerrestrialSolarFarmIllustrationofSBSPRectenna

Unliketerrestrialsolarfacilities,microwavereceivingrectennasallowgreaterthan90% ofambientlighttopassthrough,butabsorbalmostallofthebeamedenergy, generatinglesswasteheatthanterrestrialsolarsystemsbecauseofgreatercoupling efficiency.Thismeansthattheareaunderneaththerectennacancontinuetobeused foragriculturalorpastoralpurposes.Todeliveranyreasonablysignificantamountof baseloadpower,groundsolarwouldneedtocoverhugeregionsoflandwithsolar cells,whicharemajorsourcesofwasteheat.Asaresult,thesegroundsolarfarms wouldproducesignificantenvironmentalimpactstotheirregions.Thesimultaneous majorincreasestotheregionaltemperature,plustheblockageofsunlightfromthe ground,willlikelykillofflocalplants,animalsandinsectsthatmightinhabittheground beloworaroundthesegroundsolarfarms.ThismeansthatthataSBSPrectennahas

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lessimpactonthealbedoorreflectivityoftheEarththanaterrestrialsolarplantof equivalentgeneratingcapacity.Moreover,theenergyprovidedcouldfacilitatewater purificationandirrigation,preventfrosts,extendgrowingseasons(ifalittleofthe energywereusedlocally)etc.IntheplainsoftheU.S.(e.g.,SouthDakota,etc),insub SaharanAfrica,etc.etc.therearevastareasofarablelandthatcouldbeboth productivefarmlandandsitesforSBSPrectennas. Thefinalglobaleffectisnotobvious,butalsoimportant.Whileitmayseemintuitively obviousthatSBSPintroducesheatintothebiospherebybeamingmoreenergyin,the neteffectisquitetheopposite.Allenergyputintotheelectricalgridwilleventuallybe spentasheat,butthemethodsofgeneratingelectricityareofsignificantimpactfor determiningwhichapproachproducestheleasttotalglobalwarmingeffect.Fossilfuel burningemitslargeamountsofwasteheatandgreenhousegases,whileterrestrial solarandwindpoweralsoemitsignificantamountsofwasteheatviainefficient conversion.Likewise,SBSPalsohassolarconversioninefficienciesthatproducewaste heat,butthekeydifferenceisthatthemostofthiswasteheatcreationoccursoutside thebiospheretoberadiatedintospace.Thelossesintheatmosphereareverysmall, ontheorderofacouplepercentforthewavelengthsconsidered.BecauseSBSPisnot agreenhousegasemitter(withtheexceptionofinitialmanufacturingandlaunchfuel emissions),itdoesnotcontributetothetrappingactionandretentionofheatinthe biosphere.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatthereislikelytobeconcern,bothdomesticallyand internationally,thataSBSPsystemcouldbeusedasaweaponinspace,whichwillbeamplified becauseoftheinterestshownbytheDoDinSBSP. Mitigatingtheseconcerns,developingtrust,andbuildinginverificationmethodswillbekeyto politicalconsensusforsustainabledevelopmentofSBSP. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatthefederalgovernment shouldtakereasonableandappropriatestepstoensurethatSBSPsystemscannotbe utilizedasspacebasedweaponssystems,andtodissuadeanddeterothernationsfrom attackingthesestrategicpowersources,includingbutnotlimitedto: Taskingacivilianfederalagencytobetheleadagencyresponsibleforfederal investmentsinSBSPandinthedemonstrationofkeytechnologiesneededby industry. Providingtransparencyandopenpublicdialoguethroughoutthedevelopment andbuildoutphasetoreducetheriskofpublicmisperceptionsregardingSBSP. EncouragingallnationstodevelopSBSPsystemseitherontheirownoras partners,customers,suppliers,orcoownerswithanyU.S.developmenteffortto maximizethestakeholderbaseandtominimizethepotentialantagonistbase. MandatingopeninternationalinspectionsofSBSPsystemsbeforelaunchfrom Earthtotheextentnecessarytoensurethatthesystemsbeinglaunchedarenot weapons. Developinginternationallyapprovedonorbitinspectionsystemsthatcanverify compliancewithinternationalagreements

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LOGISTICS&INFRASTRUCTURE
SpaceSolarPowerSatellitesareverylargestructuresandrequiresubstantiallygreaterliftandinspace transportationthanhaseverpreviouslybeenattempted.Consequently,theyalsorequireasignificantly expandedsupportinginfrastructure. TheInternationalSpaceStationiscurrentlythelargeststructure inspacewithamassof232MT,atanorbitofonly333km.Ithasthelargestsolararraysinspace,witha totalpowerofapproximately112kW.Incontrast,asingleSpaceSolarPowerSatelliteisexpectedtobe above3,000MT,severalkilometersacross,andmostlikelybelocatedinGEO,at42,124km,likely deliveringbetween1to10GWe. Fromtheperspectiveoftodayslaunchinfrastructure,thismayseemunimaginablylargeandambitious, butinanothersenseitiswellwithintherelativescaleofotherhumanaccomplishmentswhichattheir timealsoseemedastoundingcreationstheEiffelToweris8,045Tons;theSearsTower222,500tons; theEmpireStateBuilding365,000392,000tons,thelargestofoursupertankersis650,000MT,andthe GreatPyramidatGizais5,900,000MT.Contemplatingaspacesolarpowersatellitetodayisprobably analogoustocontemplatingthebuildingofthelargehydroelectricdams,whicheventodaycause observerstomarvel. TodaytheUnitedStatesinitiateslessthan15launchesperyear(at25MTorless).Constructionofa singleSBSPsatellitealonewouldrequireinexcessof120suchlaunches.Thatmayseemlikean astoundingoperationstempountiloneconsidersthevolumeofothertransportationinfrastructure. Forinstance,in2005,AtlantaInternationalAirportsaw980,197takeoffs&landingsalone,anaverageof 1,342takeoffs/day,orabout1everyminute24hoursaday.Inthesameyear,Singapores41shipcargo berthsserved130,318vesselarrivals(about15perhour),handlingabout1.15billiongrosstons(GT),and 23.2milliontwentyfootequivalentunits(TFUs). Technologyadoptioncanmoveatastoundingspeedsonceaconcepthasbeendemonstratedanda marketiscreated.Whowouldhaveimaginedthatbarely100yearsafterthesinglewood&cloth,338 kgWrightFlierflewonly120feetatamere30mph,thattheworldwouldhavefleetsofthousandsof jetpowered,allmetalgiantsweighingasmuchas590,000kgcruisingbetweencontinentsatcloseto thespeedofsound?Who,asthefirstmileswerebeinglaid,wouldhaveforeseentherateatwhich railroads,highways,electrificationorcommunicationsinfrastructurewouldgrow?SBSPcallsmankind tolookatthemeanstoachieveorbitandinspacemaneuverdifferentlynotasmonumentsin themselves,butasautilitarianinfrastructurepurposefullydesignedtoachieveaveryworthwhilegoal. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupuniversallyacknowledgedthatanecessaryprerequisiteforthe technicalandeconomicviabilityofSBSPwasinexpensiveandreliableaccesstoorbit.However, participantswerestronglydividedonwhethertorecommendanimmediate,alloutattackonthis problemornot.

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TwoStageToOrbitSystem

InonecampwerethespacetransportationandlogisticsplannerswhoarguedthattheUnited Stateshasanexistingneedforroutineandaffordablepassengerandcargoaccesstospace, andthatatanylaunchratesaboveabout1320launchesperyear,afullyreusablesystem becomesmoreeconomical.Theymadeaverystrongcaseforanearterm,fullyreusable, rocketpowered,twostagetoorbit(TSTO)verticaltakeoff,horizontallanding(VTHL)system usingtechnologicalcapabilitiesnowavailableintheaerospaceindustry.Separately,they proposedthatthedevelopmentandproductionofthesesystemsshouldbebondfinancedoff budget,typicalofmajorinfrastructureprogramslikebridges.Suchasystemwoulddeliverthe required20annualmissionsatthesamecostasexistinginfrastructureaswellasofferaflexible reservoirofupto120additionalmissionsperyear,tobesoldbyacommercialoperatingfirm. Thesecondcamp,primarilyestablishedprivateindustry,feltthatabsentacleardemonstration oftheviabilityofSpaceBasedSolarPower,anadequatelaunchmarketwouldnotexistto justifytheexpense;however,ifthetechnicalviabilityandmarketsforSBSPwere demonstrated,privateindustrywouldrespondonitsownandtheliftproblemwouldtakecare ofitself. Moreadvancedconcepts,suchasfirststagemagneticlevitation(MAGLEV)followedbyrocket, airbreathing/airborneoxygenenrichment,aswellaselectromagneticlaunch,hybridlaunchto tethers,andspaceelevatorconceptswerealsodiscussed. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatNSSO,NASA,DOC,andother USGovernmentagenciesshouldengagewithindustry(aerospace,energy,spacetourism &manufacturing)todetermineindustryslevelofdesiredindustry/government cooperationforcreatingSBSPenablingspaceliftandsupportinginspacetransportation andlogisticsinfrastructure.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatthenationsexistingEELVbasedspacelogistics infrastructurecouldnothandlethevolumeorreachthenecessarycostefficienciestosupportacost effectiveSBSPsystem.Americasexistingspacemanufacturingbaseisnotsuitablyalignedatpresent forfullscaleSBSPdeployment. Someparticipantsarguedthatathighenoughlaunchratessomeofthenewerexpendable conceptsmightbeabletogetclosetothetarget,howeveringeneral,mostparticipantsfelt thatwhileexpendablescouldgetanSBSPtoademo,itcouldnotreachtheeconomic efficienciesnecessaryforSBSP.Someparticipantsalsoemphasizedthatexpendablelaunch

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systemswillnotbeabletoachievethedesiredlevelofsafetyneededforroutineand frequentpassengertransporttospaceortheoperationofterrestriallaunchsitesintheinterior ofthecountry. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPdevelopmentwouldhaveatransformational,even revolutionaryeffectonspaceaccessforanynationwhichdevelopsit. SBSPcannotbeconstructedwithoutroutineaccesstospaceandubiquitousinspace operations.Thesheervolumeandnumberofflightsintospace,andtheefficiencies reachedbythosehighvolumesisgamechanging.Byloweringthecosttoorbitso substantially,andbyprovidingsafeandroutineaccess,entirelynewindustriesand possibilitiesopenup. FINDING:Inordertocosteffectivelybuild,operate,maintainandrepairmuchlargerSBSPsystems, Americaneedstodevelopubiquitousonorbitspaceoperations,includingonorbitassembly,highly efficientorbitaltransfersystems,andonorbitrepair,maintenanceandrefuelingcapabilities. SomesystemarchitecturesassumeLowEarthorbitwillbecomeaprimaryassemblyand transferlocationforSBSPsatellitesconstructedfromterrestrialcomponents,whilelunarorbit, andtheEarthMoonLagrangianPointswillbecomemajorlocationsofactivityshouldlunarand asteroidalresourcesbeusedinthemanufactureofSBSPsatellites.Asaresult,despite significantautonomous,robotic,andteleoperationsusedininspaceassembly,operationsand supportwilllikelyrequiresubstantialhumanandroboticoperationsthroughouttheEarth MoonsystemcapabilitiesfullyconsistentwiththetransitionoftheU.S.intoatruespacefaring nation. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthataspaceinfrastructureislikelytobenodal,andrequire significantupperstages,orspacetugdevelopment.SolarElectricTransitVehicles(SETVs)appeartobe themostattractiveandappeartohavestrategicvalueintheirownright. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatgrowthpastacertain(perhapseveninitial)stageislikelyto requireormakeattractivetheuseofoffEarthmaterialsbecauseoftheirabundanceandsignificantly lowerenergycosts. Mostelementsforpowergenerationandstructure(over99%bySSIstudy)arepresentonthe Moon.Thedifferenceinenergyisapproximately20foldduetoitsmuchshallowergravitywell, meaningthatittakesonly1/20thoftheenergytotransportapayloadfromtheMoontoGEO thanittakestomovethesamepayloadfromtheEarthtoGEO.Viewedanotherway(interms ofrockettransport),thedifferenceindeliveredpayloadisabout10fold,meaningthatagiven rocketcoulddeliver10timesmorepayloadfromtheMoontoGEO,thanfromtheEarthto GEO.Also,inthecaseoftheMoon,novelapproachessuchaselectromagneticlaunchcould disposeoftherocketalmostaltogether.LaunchingfromoffEarthbodiesalsorelaxestheneed tohardenforlaunchvibrations,andobviatestheneedforaprotectiveaerodynamicshroud,as thereisnoatmosphereoraerodynamiceffectstoprotectagainst.Byeliminatingthe requirementtofitpayloadsinanaerodynamicshroud,italsoreducedthecomplexunfoldto deploymechanisms.InLunarsolarpowerconcepts,thereisnoneedforlaunchofcollector elements,thoughrelaysmuststillbelaunchedtoorbit. ThelongtermdesirabilityofextraterrestrialresourcesforSBSPapplicationarguesstronglyfor anexplorationprogramwithastrongInSituResourceUtilization(ISRU)focus.

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BUSINESSCASE
SpaceBasedSolarPowerisafundamentallytransformationalsystemconceptunlikeanythingthathas everbeendevelopedanddeployedforeitherspaceapplicationsorterrestrialenergymarkets.Asa result,thereislittleornoindustrialengineeringscaleexperienceinrelevantoperations,manufacturing orsystems. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatindustryhasstatedthatthe#1driverandrequirementfor generatingindustryinterestandinvestmentindevelopingtheinitialoperationalSBSPsystemsis acquiringananchortenantcustomer,orcustomers,thatarewillingtosigncontractsforhighvalue SBSPservices.IndustryisparticularlyinterestedinthepossibilitythattheDoDmightbewillingtopay forSBSPservicesdeliveredtothewarfighterinforwardbasesinamountsof550MWecontinuous,ata priceof$1ormoreperkilowatthour. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheDoDshouldimmediately conductarequirementsanalysisofunderlyinglongtermDoDdemandforsecure,reliable, andmobileenergydeliverytothewarfighter,whattheDoDmightbewillingtopayfora SBSPservicedeliveredtothewarfighterandunderwhattermsandconditions,and evaluatetheappropriatenessandeffectivenessofvariousapproachestosigningupasan anchortenantcustomerofacommerciallydeliveredservice,suchastheNextView acquisitionapproachpioneeredbytheNationalGeoSpatialimagingAgency. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatevenwiththeDoDasananchortenantcustomerataprice of$12perkilowatthourfor550megawattscontinuouspowerforthewarfighter,whenconsideringthe risksofimplementinganewunprovenspacetechnologyandothermajorbusinessrisks,thebusiness caseforSBSPstilldoesnotappeartoclosein2007withcurrentcapabilities(primarilylaunchcosts). ThisstudydidnothavetheresourcestoadequatelyassesstheeconomicviabilityofSBSPgiven currentorprojectedcapabilities,andthismustbepartofanyfutureagendatofurtherdevelop thisconcept.PastinvestigationsoftheSBSPconcepthaveindicatedthatthecostsare dominatedbycostsofinstallation,whichdependonthecostoflaunch(dollarsperkilogram) andassemblyandonhowlightthecomponentscanbemade(kilogramsperkilowatt).Existing launchinfrastructurecannotclosethebusinesscase,andanyassessmentmadebasedupon newlaunchvehiclesandformatsarespeculative.Greaterclarityandresolutionisrequiredto setpropertargetsfortechnologydevelopmentandprivatecapitalengagement.IdeallySBSP wouldwanttobecostcompetitivewithotherbaseloadsuppliersindevelopingmarketswhich cannotaffordtospendahugeportionoftheirGDPonenergy(4c/kWh),andthese requirementsareextremelystringent,butothernicheexportmarketsmayprovidemore relaxedcriteria(35c/kWh),andsomecustomers,suchasDoD,appeartobespendingmorethan $1/kWhinforwarddeployedlocations.Itwouldbehelpfultodevelopaseriesofcurveswhich examinetechnologytargetsforvariousmarkets,inadditiontothesensitivitiesand opportunitiesfordevelopment.SomeworkbytheEuropeanSpaceAgency(ESA)has suggestedthatinanapplestoapplescomparison,SBSPmayalreadybecompetitivewith largescaleterrestrialsolarbaseloadpower. Agreatrangeofopinionswereexpressedduringthestudyregardingthenearterm profitability.ItisinstructivetonotethatthatthereareAmericancompaniesthathaveorare activelymarketedSBSPathomeandabroad,whileanothergroupfeelsthetechnologyis sufficientlymaturetocreateadedicatedpublicprivatepartnershipbasedupontheCOMSAT modelandhasauthoreddraftlegislationtothateffect.

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ThebusinesscaseismuchmorelikelytocloseinthenearfutureiftheU.S.Governmentagrees to: o o Signupasananchortenantcustomer,and MakeappropriatetechnologyinvestmentandriskreductioneffortsbytheU.S. Government,and ProvideappropriatefinancialincentivestotheSBSPindustrythataresimilartothe significantincentivesthat FederalandStateGovernmentsareprovidingforprivate industryinvestmentsinothercleanandrenewablepowersources.

Thebusinesscasemaycloseinthenearfuturewithappropriatetechnologyinvestmentand riskreductioneffortsbytheU.S.Government,andwithappropriatefinancialincentivesto industry. FederalandStateGovernmentsareprovidingsignificantfinancialincentivesfor privateindustryinvestmentsinothercleanandrenewablepowersources. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatinordertoreduceriskandto promotedevelopmentofSBSP,theU.S.Governmentshouldincreaseandaccelerateits investmentsinthedevelopmentanddemonstrationofkeycomponent,subsystem,and systemleveltechnologiesthatwillberequiredforthecreationofoperationaland scalableSBSPsystems.

Finding:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatasmallamountofentrycapitalbytheUSGovernmentis likelytocatalyzesubstantiallymoreinvestmentbytheprivatesector. Thisopinionwasexpressedmanytimesoverfromenergyandaerospacecompaniesalike. Indeed,thereisanecdotalevidencethateventheactivityofthisinterimstudyhasalready provokedsignificantactivitybyatleastthreemajoraerospacecompanies.ShouldtheUnited Statesputsomedollarsinforastudyordemonstration,itislikelytocatalyzesignificant amountsofinternalresearchanddevelopment.StudyleaderslikewiseheardthattheDoD couldhaveacatalyticrolebysponsoringprizesorsignalingitswillingnesstobecomethe anchorcustomerfortheproduct. ThesefindingsareconsistentwiththefindingsoftherecentPresidentsCouncilofAdvisorson ScienceandTechnology(PCAST)reportwhichrecommendedthefederalgovernmentexpand itsroleasanearlyadopterinordertodemonstratecommercialfeasibilityofadvancedenergy technologies. Finding:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPappearstohavesignificantgrowthpotentialinthe longrun,andanationalinvestmentinSBSPmayreturnmanytimesitsvalue. MostofAmericasspendinginspacedoesnotprovideanydirectmonetaryrevenue.SBSP, however,maycreatenewmarketsandtheneedfornewproductsthatwillprovidemanynew, highpayingtechnicaljobsandnetsignificanttaxrevenues.Greatpowershavehistorically succeededbyfindingorinventingproductsandservicesnotjusttoselltothemselves,butto others.Today,investmentsinspacearemeasuredinbillionsofdollars.Theenergymarketis trillionsofdollars,andtherearemanybillionsofpeopleinthedevelopingworldthathaveyet toconnecttothevariousglobalmarkets.Suchalargeexportmarketcouldgenerate substantialnewwealthforournationandourworld.InvestmentstomatureSBSParesimilarly likelytohavesignificanteconomicspinoffs,eachwiththeirownindependentrevenuestream, andopenuporenableothernewindustriessuchasspaceindustrialprocesses,spacetourism, enhancedtelecommunications,anduseofoffworldresources.Notallofthereturnsmaybe obvious.SBSPisabothinfrastructureandaglobalutility.Estimatingthevalueofutilitiesis

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difficultsincetheybenefitsocietyasawholemorethananyoneuserinparticularconsider whatthecontributiontoproductivityandGDParebyimaginingwhattheworldwouldbelike withoutelectriclines,roads,railroads,fiber,orairports.Notalloftheeconomicimpactis immediatelycapturedindirectSBSPjobs,butalsointheservicesandproductsthatspringupto supportthoseworkersandtheircommunities.Historicallysuchinfrastructureprojectshave receivedsignificantgovernmentsupport,fromlandgrantsforrailroads,tosubsidizedrural electrification,todevelopmentofatomicenergy.Whiletheinitialcapabilityonrampmaybe slow,SBSPhasthecapabilitytobeaverysignificantportionoftheworldenergyportfolioby midcenturyandbeyond. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatadequatecapitalexistsintheprivatesectortofinance construction,howeverprivatecapitalisunlikelytodevelopthisconceptwithoutgovernmentassistance becausethetimeframeofrewardanddegreeofriskareoutsidethewindowofnormalprivatesector investment. Capitalintheenergyandothersectorsisavailableonthelevelneededforsuchalargeproject, butcapitalflowsunderfairlyconservativecriteria,andSBSPhasnotyetexperiencedasuitable demonstration,norhavetherisksbeenadequatelycharacterizedtomakeinformedbusiness plandecisions. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatSBSPsystemsareunlikelytobecomeeconomically competitive,norproducedonthescalethatisneededtohelpsolveglobalenergyandenvironmental problemsunlessthesystemsaremanufactured,owned,andoperatedbyprivateindustry.Thisfinding isconsistentwiththeU.S.NationalSpacePolicythatadvocatesspacecommercialization. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatconsistentwiththeU.S. Governmentincentivesprovidedtoothercarbonneutralenergytechnologies,itiscritical fortheU.S.GovernmenttoprovidesimilarincentivestoencourageprivateU.S.industry tocoinvestinthedevelopmentofSBSPsystems.Specifically,thefollowingincentives shouldbeprovidedtoU.S.industryassoonaspossibletoencourageprivateinvestment inthedevelopmentandconstructionofSBSPsystems: Legislationatboththefederalandstatelevelthatspecifiesandclarifies existinglawasspecifyingthatSBSPiseligibleforallpollutioncredits,carbon credits,andcarbonoffsetsthatareavailabletoothercleanandrenewable energysourcessuchaswind,hydro,groundsolar,andnuclear Afederalloanguaranteeprogramofupto80%shouldbecreatedforU.S. companiesengagedinthebusinessofdeveloping,owningandoperatingSBSP systems.Thisprogramshouldeitherbeanextensionof,ormodeledafter,the existingloanguaranteeprogramprovidedtothenuclearpowerindustry. TheU.S.Governmentshouldenacta30yeartaxholidayonanyprofitsmadeby U.S.industryinthesuccessfuloperationofspacebasedsolarpowersystems. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheUSGovernmentshould taskoneormorefederalcivilianagencieswithexpertiseincommerceandindustryfor developing,evaluating,andrecommendingadditionalincentivesforprivateindustry investmentinSBSP. Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatinordertoreduceriskand promotecommercialdevelopmentofSBSP,theU.S.Governmentneedstoinvestinthe developmentanddemonstrationofkeytechnologiesneededbySBSPsystems.

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 FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatinordertocosteffectivelybuildmuchlargerSBSPsystems, theU.S.needsLowCostandReliableAccesstoSpace(LCRATS). LCRATSwillalsodeliversignificantbenefitstoU.S.nationalsecurityandAmericaneconomic competitiveness,independentofSBSP. Reusablespaceplaneswhichdeliveraircraftlikesafety,reliability,operability,maintainability, rapidturnaround,highflightrates,andverylowcostperflightarethemostlikelynearterm approachtoachievingLCRATS. Atthistime,privateindustryisunabletojustifytheverylargeandfinanciallyriskyinvestments necessarytodevelopLCRATS,orcommercialubiquitousonorbitspaceoperations,without significantlyincreasedassistanceofthefederalgovernment. ThenationcomposedofbothGovernmentandU.S.privateindustrymustsignificantly increaseitsinvestmentsin,andcreatenewpublicprivatepartnershipstosupport,theobjective ofLCRATSandubiquitousonorbitspaceoperationsfornationalsecurityandeconomic purposes. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendstheenactmentoflegislationto createtransferableinvestmenttaxcreditsforprivateindustryinvestmentsinfully reusableEarthtoorbitspacetransportationsystemsandincommerciallyownedand operatedspaceinfrastructurefororbittoorbittransfer,onorbitassemblysystems, orbitalfueldepots,andorbitalrepair,maintenanceandupgradesystems. Recommendation:AsrecommendedbyanindustryconsensuspublishedinJanuary2006, theSBSPStudyGrouprecommendstheestablishmentofafederal"AdvisoryCommittee" tocoordinatethevariousnationalactivitiesbyindustry,DoD,NASA,DOTandDOC,forthe purposeofcreatinganAmericanreusablespaceplaneindustry,andtomakeconsensus nationalrecommendationstotheU.S.Governmentonadditionalspecificfederalactions thatshouldbetakentodevelopanAmericanreusablespaceplaneindustry.

FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatavarietyoforganizationalmodelsexistforSpaceBased SolarPowerdevelopment,theanalysisofwhichwerebeyondthescopeofthisstudy,butwhichdeserve additionalattention. Themajorityofthestudyparticipantswithbusinessandpolicyexpertiseconcludeditislikely thatanindustryleddevelopmentmodelcanbemadetowork,particularlyif: 1. TheDoDactsasananchortenantcustomerfortheinitialSBSPsystems,and 2. TheU.S.Governmentpursuesandadequateincentivesareputinplace,suchasthose explicitlyrecommendedbythisstudy whichmightincludesuchthingsasloanguarantees(suchasthosegivento nuclearpower) andcarbonorpollutioncredits(whicharegiventomanyothercleanpower industries) ataxholidayfornewspaceindustry,and investmenttaxcreditsforreusablespacetransportation However,therearenoguaranteesandalternativeapproachesshouldbeconsideredifthese recommendationsfailtoachievethedesiredresult.Otherreviewedoptionsinclude:

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Abondfinancedpublicutilityoragovernmentowned,contractoroperated (GOCO)areotherpossibilities,butthesearenotoptionsadvocatedbyanyof thestudyparticipants ApublicprivatecorporationlikeCOMSAT AGalileolikemodel,inwhichgovernmentandprivateindustrybothinvestin theoperationalsystem

Themajorityofstudyparticipantsfeltthatassessmentonthesealternativescouldbedeferred toalaterdateafterthefundamentaltechnologicalriskshadbeenretired,shiftingSBSP developmentfromaresearchanddevelopmentproblemtoafinancingandproduction problem.Mostparticipantsfelttheearlyriskretirementwasmostappropriateforoneormore advancedprojectsagencies,perhapssuchasDARPAorARPAE,oracollaborationbetweenthe two. FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatinordertoprovidetrueenergyindependenceforAmerica andherpartners,andtoprovideasignificantreductionintheamountofcarbonthatworldpumpsinto theEarthsatmosphere,mankindwillneedtobuildSBSPsystemsthatareordersofmagnitudelarger thantheinitialsystemsdesignedtoservehighvalue,highrevenue/kWhnichemarkets FINDING:TheSBSPStudyGroupfoundthatAmericasaerospaceindustryalonedoesnothaveallofthe necessaryskills,knowledge,resources,systemsorproceduresnecessarytoeffectivelyandeconomically developSBSPin2007. o Recommendation:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthatAmericasenergycompanies shouldbeincludedearlyoninthedevelopmentofthisnewstrategicenergyresource.

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OVERARCHINGTHEMES&RECOMMENDATIONS:

OVERARCHINGTHEMES
TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludesthatspacebasedsolarpowerdoespresentastrategic opportunitythatcouldsignificantlyadvanceUSandpartnersecurity,capability,andfreedomof actionandmeritssignificantfurtherattentiononthepartofboththeUSGovernmentandthe privatesector. TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludesthatwhilesignificanttechnicalchallengesremain,Space BasedSolarPowerismoretechnicallyexecutablethaneverbeforeandcurrenttechnological vectorspromisetofurtherimproveitsviability.Agovernmentleddemonstrationofproofof conceptcouldservetocatalyzecommercialsectordevelopment. TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludesthatSBSPrequiresacoordinatednationalprogramwithhigh levelleadershipandresourcingcommensuratewithitspromise,butresourcedatleastonthe leveloffusionenergyresearchorInternationalSpaceStationconstructionandoperations. TheSBSPStudyGroupconcludedthatshouldtheU.S.beginacoordinatednationalprogramto developSBSP,itshouldexpecttofindthatbroadinterestinSBSPexistsoutsideoftheUS Government,rangingfromaerospaceandenergyindustries;toforeigngovernmentssuchas Japan,theEU,Canada,India,China,Russia,andothers;tomanyindividualcitizenswhoare increasinglyconcernedaboutthepreservationofenergysecurityandenvironmentalquality. WhilethebestchancesfordevelopmentarelikelytooccurwithUSGovernmentsupport,itis entirelypossiblethatSBSPdevelopmentmaybeindependentlypursuedbyothercapableand ambitiousnationsorpartnershipswithoutU.S.leadership. CertainkeyquestionsaboutSpaceBasedSolarPowerwerenotanswerablewithadequate precisionwithinthetimeandresourcelimitationsofthisinterimstudy,andformtheagendafor futureaction.Thefundamentaltasks/questionsare: o o o o Identificationofcleartargetsforeconomicviabilityinmarketsofinterest Identificationoftechnicaldevelopmentgoalsandaroadmapforretiringrisk Selectionofthebestdesigntrades Fulldesignanddeploymentofameaningfuldemonstrator

OVERARCHINGRECOMMENDATIONS
o Recommendation#1:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Government shouldorganizeeffectivelytoallowforthedevelopmentofSBSPandconcludeanalyses toresolveremainingunknowns Recommendation#2:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Government shouldretireamajorportionofthetechnicalriskforbusinessdevelopmenttoproceed Recommendation#3:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Government shouldcreateafacilitatingpolicy,regulatory,andlegalenvironmentforthedevelopment ofSBSP

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Recommendation#4:TheSBSPStudyGrouprecommendsthattheU.S.Government shouldbecomeanearlydemonstrator/adopter/customerofSBSPandincentivizeits development

Summarized2007SBSPEnvironmentAssessment
PositiveIndicators
Concertednationalandinternationalinterestinurgently addressinglongtermenergyandenvironmentalsecurity issues Acceleratingpaceoftechnologicalinnovation, particularlyinmaterialscience,computationalscience, telerobotics,andsolarcollectiontechnologies ActiveinterestinSBSPpotentialfromaerospaceand energycompanies,academia,internationalcorporations andforeigngovernments Capitalmarketsaresufficienttosupportdevelopment andconstruction,particularlyifancillaryorspinoff revenuestreamsarealsoanticipated Preexistingpublicsupportforthedevelopmentof energyfromspace Significantinterestexistsinpromotingspacecommercial developmentandsecurity

ChallengeAreas
Whilestilleconomicallyuncompetitiveforcommercial constructionwith2007logisticalcapabilities,consensus doesnotyetexistonwhensufficienttechnologylevels andrisingcompetitorenergypriceswillconvergetoclose theSBSPfullscaledevelopmentbusinesscase ITARrestrictionsonU.S.spacetechnologyexport TheU.S.hasnotyetcommittedtodevelopingafullyre usablespaceplanedevelopment;therearepresentlyno major,ongoingdevelopmenteffortsotherthansmall, private,suborbitalspacetouristprograms TheU.S.aerospaceindustryiscurrentlynotonavectorin 2007toconstructthelogisticalandinfrastructure requirementsofaSBSPsystem Availabilityofremainingwirelesspowertransmission frequencies Addressinguneaseaboutelectromagnetictransmission environmentaleffectsandincorrectperceptionsofspace weaponization

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CONCLUSION
IthasbeennearlyadecadesinceaUSGovernmentagencylastofficiallyexaminedthefeasibilityofSBSP asastrategicsourceofclean,renewableenergy(NASAs19951997FreshLookStudy).Asignificantly changingglobalenergyandenvironmentalsecuritysituation,combinedwithanexponentially acceleratingpaceoftechnologicalchange,meritarevisitofthisconceptbythenationsprimarysecurity institution,theOfficeoftheSecretaryofDefense.WhileOSDcurrentlyhasnoofficialpositiononSBSP, OSDdoesacknowledgetheneedtoproactivelyfindandcreatesolutionsthatensuretheUnitedStates strategicenergy,economic,space,environmentalandnationalsecurityarepreserved.Utilizingan innovative,webbasedcollaborativeformatthatinvitedthevoluntarycontributionsofover170 internationalSBSPexpertsovera5monthperiod,theNationalSecuritySpaceOfficeinitiatedanocost phase0architecturefeasibilityreviewtodetermineiftheUnitedStatesandpartnerscouldretireallof thetechnical,legal,policy,andlogisticalchallengesoverthenextseveraldecadessuchthatacredible businesscasecouldbemadetoproceedwithfullscalecommercialdevelopmentofthisenergysource asanationalorinternationalproject.Thisinterimreportisbeingpublishedtorevealfindingstodate andrecommendwhetheradditional,moredetailedUSGovernmentstudyandactionrelativetoSBSPis warranted. ThisstudyrevealedthatwhilethebusinesscaseforSBSPcannotbeclosedforconstructiontobeginin 2007,thetechnicalfeasibilityoftheconcepthasneverbeenbetterandallscienceandtechnology developmentvectorsappeartoindicatethatthereiscrediblepotentialforSBSPtobebuiltwithina strategicallyrelevantperiodoftime.Thisreviewalsouncoveredsurprisinglysignificantinterestand evaluationwithinacademia,theaerospaceindustry,andenergyindustriesthatisprogressing independentlyofDoDreviews.TheUnitedStatesisnottheonlycountrytoobservethepotentialof SBSPandtheimprovingtechnicalstateoftheart,assubstantialinterestandsupporthavebeen witnessedinotherregionsoftheworldtoincludeEurope,Japan,Canada,India,China,andRussia amongothers.Thisinternationalinterestcanbeleveragedtobuildorstrengthenstrategically stabilizinglongtermpartnerships. SeveralmajorchallengeswillneedtobeovercometomakeSBSPareality,includingthecreationoflow costspaceaccessandasupportinginfrastructuresystemonEarthandinspace.Severalpaststudies haveshownthattheopportunitytoexportenergyasthefirstmarketablecommodityfromspacewill motivatecommercialsectorsolutionstothesechallenges.Thedeliveredcommoditycanbeusedfora varietyofpurposestoincludebaseloadterrestrialelectricalpower,wideareabroadcastpower,carbon neutralsyntheticfuelsproduction,orasaninspacesatelliteenergyutility.Solvingthesespaceaccess andoperationschallengesforSBSPwillinturnalsoopenspaceforahostofotheractivitiesthatinclude spacetourism,manufacturing,lunarorasteroidresourceutilization,andeventuallyexpansionofhuman presenceandpermanentsettlementwithinoursolarsystem. ArepeatedreviewfindingisthatthecommercialsectorwillneedGovernmenttoaccomplishthree majortasksinordertocatalyzeSBSPdevelopment.Thefirstistoretireamajorportionoftheearly technicalrisks.Thiscanbeaccomplishedviaanincrementalresearchanddevelopmentprogramthat culminateswithaspaceborneproofofconceptdemonstrationinthenextdecade.Thesecondisto facilitatethepolicy,regulatory,legal,andorganizationalinstrumentsthatwillbenecessarytocreatethe partnershipsandrelationships(commercialcommercial,governmentcommercial,andgovernment government)neededforthisconcepttosucceed.ThefinalGovernmentcontributionistobecomea directearlyadopterandtoincentivizeotherearlyadoptersmuchasisaccomplishedonaregularbasis withotherrenewableenergysystemscomingonlinetoday. FortheDoDspecifically,beamedenergyfromspaceinquantitiesgreaterthan5MWehasthepotential tobeadisruptivegamechangeronthebattlefield.SBSPanditsenablingwirelesspowertransmission technologycouldfacilitateextremelyflexibleenergyondemandforcombatunitsandinstallations acrossanentiretheater,whilesignificantlyreducingdependenceonvulnerableoverlandfueldeliveries. SBSPcouldalsoenableentirelynewforcestructuresandcapabilitiessuchasultralongendurance

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airborneorterrestrialsurveillanceorcombatsystemstoincludetheindividualsoldierhimself.More routinely,SBSPcouldprovidetheabilitytodeliverrapidandsustainablehumanitarianenergytoa disasterareaortoalocalpopulationundergoingnationbuildingactivities.SBSPcouldalsofacilitate baseislandingsuchthateachinstallationhastheabilitytooperateindependentofvulnerableground basedenergydeliveryinfrastructures.InadditiontohelpingAmericanandAllieddefense establishmentsremainrelevantovertheentire21stCenturythroughmoresecuresupplylines,perhaps thegreatestmilitarybenefitofSBSPistolessenthechancesofconflictduetoenergyscarcityby providingaccesstoastrategicallysecurityenergysupply. Thisinterimreportaccomplishedasignificantreviewoftheoverallconceptandmanycomponentsina veryshortperiodoftimeandnocost.Ashasbeendemonstratedrepeatedlyinthenewinternet interconnectedworld,thistypeofhorizontal,collaborativeapproachtoproblemsolvingisvery effectiveinrapidlycollectingandbuildingknowledge.Ithasalsohadtheeffectofrapidlybuilding (almostexponentially)actionnetworksandinformingotherwisedisconnectedindividualsofthis concept.ItisamodelthattheDoDmaywishtoconsiderforfutureproblemsolvingendeavors. TheSBSPStudyGroupleaderswouldliketothankallofthevoluntarycontributorsfortheirtremendous timeandintellectualcontributionstodate,andwillcontinuetosolicitandutilizethecontributionsofall participantsasitseekstoanswerthemoredifficultanddetailedquestionssurroundingSBSP. Despitethisearlyreviewsuccess,therearestillmanymorequestionsthatmustbeansweredbeforea fullscalecommercialdevelopmentdecisioncanbemade.Itisproposedthatinthespiritoftheoriginal collaborativeSBSPStudyGroupcharter,thatthisinterimreportbecomeamarkerinaliving conversationtocollect,summarize,andrecommendontheevolutionofSBSP.Theprojectisintended tobeiterative,andupdateswillbereleasedasthefindingsandrecommendationsneedadjustment,or shouldsignificantnewdatabecomeavailable. ThepositiveindicatorsobservedtosurroundSBSPbythisreviewteamsuggestthatitwouldbeinthe USGovernmentsandthenationsinteresttosponsoranimmediateproofofconceptdemonstration projectandformallyfundedfollowonstudiesconductedinfullcollaborationwithindustryandwilling internationalpartners. Thepurposeofthesefollowonstudieswillbetoanswertheopenquestionsofrelatedtothespecific barriersthatmustberetired,thetargetsforeconomiccompetitiveness,andtheconstructionofa roadmapthatwillleadtotheinstallationofutilitygradeSBSPelectricpowerplants. Consideringthedevelopmenttimescalesthatareinvolved,andtheexponentialgrowthofpopulation andresourcepressureswithinthatsamestrategicperiod,itisimperativethatthisworkfordrillingup vs.drillingdownforenergysecuritybeginsimmediately.

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APPENDIXASBSPDESIGNCONSIDERATIONSANDTRADEOFFS
Thedesignofasystemtocaptureorgeneratepowerandbeamitforsomeapplicationeitherinspaceoron theEarthisacomplexengineeringchallengeinvolvingmanydifferentdesigntradeoffsthataredeeply interactiveandhighlytechnical.Atpresent,thosedesigntradesaretakingplaceonshiftingground,asthe underlyingtechnologyofcompetingapproachesmovesrapidly,anddependsgreatlyonotherassumptions. Belowarealistofquestionsthatilluminatethevariousdesignconsiderationsandtradeoffs: Forwhatpurpose,andinwhatmannerwilltheenergybeused,andwhereisthepowerneeded? Severalapplicationsarepossible.Forinstance,beamedpowerinspacemaybeusefulinreducingthe size,weight,anddragofsatellitesinaconstellationbyloweringthesizeoftheironboardsolarpanels andweightoftheirpowerandbatterysystems.Beamingpowerforinspacepropulsionpurposesmay havesimilarrequirementsifhighelectricpowerisrequired,butfardifferentrequirementsifbeing usedforrapidthermalexpansionofpropellants. Terrestrially,SBSPismostinterestingonlargescalesforhighcapacityfactorbaseloadpower,and inputpowerforthemanufactureofsynfuels.Ifreceiversarelocatedneartopopulatedareasand sensitiveecosystems,lowpowerdensityandnoninterferingfrequenciesrangesaredesired. Forlowerpowerlevels,threeterrestrialapplicationsareofinterest.First,providinglimitedamounts ofelectricalpowertoremoteforwardlocationswouldlikelyrequiresmallerreceiversandmayhave relaxedintensitystandards.Second,providingpowertolongdurationairborneplatformsfortheir payloadsandstationkeepingrequiresexquisitetrackingandpointing,butmayrelaxtheendtoend efficiency.Finallylowintensitybroadcastpowerforthepurposeofprovidingtricklechargeto electroniccomponentssuchascommunicationsgear,individualsoldiers,orremotesensorsandtheir batteriesrequiresverysmallreceiversandverylowdensitybroadcast.

Howwilltheenergybetransmitted? Ifinspace,thelongdistancesandrelativemovementmayrequirehighfrequenciesinthevisibleor Infraredrange.IftransmittingfromspacetoEarth,thetransmittanceoropacityoftheatmosphere mustbetakenintoconsideration.Generallyspeaking,thereareonlyafewdesirablewindowsof transmissionwheremostoftheenergyofthebeamisnotscatteredandabsorbed.Theseincludethe visible,infrared,andlowerradiofrequencyranges.Visibleandinfraredranges,becauseoftheirmuch shorterwavelength,havetheadvantageofmuchsmallerapertures,buttodayhavelowerefficiencies bothingenerationandreception,arelessmatureathighpowerlevels,mayhaveeyesafetyconcerns, andmaybeunacceptabletothepublicregardlessofthedensityofthebeambecauseofnegative associationsLightAmplicationbySimulatedEmissionofRadiationmayhavewiththegeneralpublic. Nevertheless,theabilitytoachievefirstpoweratmuchlowerweights,andtobeamittomuchsmaller receiversdeservesadditionalstudyandattention.ThemoretypicaldesignforSpacePowerSatellites hasbeenthe2.4or5.8GHzrangeswheretransmissionandcouplingisfavorable.Thedisadvantageof thisapproachistheunforgivingphysicsofmicrowavepowertransmission,whichrequiresextremely largeapertures,andthereforelargeonorbitweights,tomitigatethebeamdivergence.Thisminimum aperturetoensureasufficientlysmallspotsizeandcouplingefficiencyistrueregardlessofthe amountofpowertransmitted,andthereforescalespoorlyforsmallamountsofpower. Atpresent,theseappeartobethetwoworkablemeansoftransmittingpower.However,thisstudy alsodiscussedmorespeculativemethodsbywhichpowertransmissionefficiencythroughthe atmospheremightbeimproved,whichincludedartificiallyinducingtransmissionchannelsor waveguides,usingsolitons,orperhapsstoringtheenergyinhighenergydensitymaterials.

HowwilltheenergybereceivedonEarth? Themodalityoftransmissiongenerallydecidesthetypeofreceiver.Forradiofrequencies,arectifying antenna,orrectennaisthemethodofpowerreception.Foropticalandinfraredwavelengths,atuned

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photovoltaicarrayorsolardynamicenginesarethechoices.Theacceptabledensityandsizeofthe receiverwillimpactthechoiceofbeamfrequencyaswellastheonorbitaperturerequirements. Whereinspacewilltheenergybecollected? Placingthesatelliteinthelowestorbit(LEO)possibleminimizestherangeandlowerstherequired sizeandthereforeweightofthetransmittingantenna,aswellastheenergycost(V)togetthe componentsintoorbit.HoweversatellitesinLEOorbittheEarthatperiodsontheorderofevery90 minutes,andspendmuchoftheirtimeinshadow,reducingtheirproductivity.Withoutaneffective capabilitytodeorbitspacedebris(asisthecasetoday),aLEObasedobjectofsuchlargesizeand surfaceareawouldalsobeatveryhighriskofdamageduetothelargeamountofartificialspace debrisatthosealtitudes.PowerSatellitesatLEOaltitudeswouldalsorequiresophisticatedbeam steering,andalargenumberofgroundstationstomaximizeproductivity.Higherorbitsrequirelarger aperturesandweights,andhigherenergytoreachiflaunchingfromEarth,butspendlesstimein shadowandmorerelaxedbeamtracking,butalsomusttransmititsbeamthroughothersatellite orbits.MEO,highlyeccentric,andSunsynchronousdesignshavealsobeenexplored.Aspecialcase occursatGeostationary(GEO)orbitwheretheorbitalperiodofthesatellitecorrespondstothespeed ofEarthsrotationandthesatelliteappearsstationaryovertheground.Inthislocation,verylittle beamsteeringisrequired,andduetotheaxialtiltoftheEarthwithrespecttotheSun,spendsless than1%ofthetotaltimeinshadow.GEOsimplifiesmanyproblems,andisgenerallypreferredasthe locationforSolarPowerSatellites,butGEOishighlydesirablerealestateforcommunicationsand televisionsatellites,mustbeamthroughalmostallotherorbits,andrequireslargeaperturesand weightsandcorrespondinglyhighdeltaV.AboveGEO,satelliteorbitalperiodsarelongerthanthe rotationperiodoftheEarth.AlthoughtheMoontakesapproximately28daystocircletheEarth,the EarthrotatesundertheMooneveryday,andsoanotherdesignoptionistoconstructpower collectionandbeamingequipmentontheMoonwhereitdoesnotrequirelaunch,andturntheMoon intoaSolarPowerSatellite. However,theorbitalplaneoftheMoonmeansthatalllocationsexperiencea14daylunarnight,and sotwicethenumberofsolarpowercollectorsmustbebuiltandlocatedattheEastandWestsidesof theMoontoprovideconstantpower.Furthermore,powerfromtheMoonmustbebeamedtentimes thedistance(requiringatransmitter100timestheareaasasimilarsystemingeostationaryEarth orbit)andbecausetheMoonisnotgeostationary,wouldrequirereflectorsorretransmittersinEarth orbit,oraglobalpowerdistributiongridtoenablecontinuouspowertobedeliveredtomarketson theEarth.

Howwilltheenergybecollected? Generallyspeaking,themetricofdesirabilityisspecificpower,orpowergeneratedperunitweight (kW/kg),withadditionalconsiderationsincludingsystemlifeinahighradiationenvironment, efficiencyandthermalrejection.Solarenergycanbecollectedorharvesteddirectlywithplanar photovoltaics,concentratedontohighefficiencyphotovoltaics,thermoelectrics,orsolardynamic means.Directphotonphotonsystemsmayalsobepossible.Generallyspeaking,concentrating systemsarelowerinweightthanplanararrays,butintroducecomplexitiesinheatrejection. Thermoelectricsarenotthoughttobecompetitiveontheirownatthistime,butmightofferan additionalmeansofrecoveringpowerduringheatrejection.Solardynamicsystemsinvolve concentratingsolarpowerontoaheatengineofsomekind,whichmightincludesterlingorrotating machinery(Braytonand/orRankinecycles).Dynamicsystems(heatengines)alsorequireaworking fluid(liquidorgas)whichintroducesdesignconsiderationstopreventormitigateleakage.Another verydifferentconceptistousephotonphotonsolarpumpedlaserstoigniteinertialfusionand recovertheenergythroughcurrentsinducedfromchargedparticles.

Howwillitbedistributedandtransformedinthespacesegment? Thesetradesincludepowergenerationanddistribution,andbeamgeneration.Thechiefmetricsof concernareefficiencyandsystemmass.Formicrowavesystems,microwavegeneratorsinclude

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klystrons,gyrotrons,magnetrons,andmicrowaveLenstechnology.Recently,solidstatedeviceshave becomeattractivebecauseofhighefficiencyandlowmass.Foropticalwavelengths,solidstatefiber systemsseemtobefavored,thoughslab,freeelectron,orsolarpumpedopticaltoopticalmaysee additionalprogress. Howwillthespacesegmentbeconstructed? Heresimplicityisthemetrictobemaximized.Pastdesignsreliedonverylargecomponentsandhuge numbersofastronauts(withsupportingspaceinfrastructure),whichintroducedsignificantupfront costandcomplexity.Newdesignsseektomaximizemodularity,roboticassembly,andcomponents thatcanbelaunchedinsmallerpayloads.Onorbitmanufacturefromrawmaterialsisalsoanoption, obviatingtheneedforadvancetestingandtoleranceofvibrationsbecauseofaerodynamicloads duringlaunch.

Howwilltheproblemsofsuntracking,earthtracking,openspacetrackingforheatrejectionandother majorstructuralconsiderationsbesolved? Formaximumefficiency,thepowergenerationsystemneedstomaximizetheareafacingtheSun.For heatrejection,thatportionoperatesbestradiatingouttoemptyspace.Andlastly,theantennaor aperturemustalwaysfacetheground.Unfortunatelythesepointsarenotfixed,butmovewith respecttooneanother.Typicaldesignoptionsincludegravitygradientstabilizationusingtethers,use ofrotatingmirrors(eitherstructurallyfixedorfreeflyinginformation). Besidestheabovementionedproblemsofpointing,generation,transmission,andheatrejection,the structureofthesatellitemustprovideadequatestiffnessatlowweightwhilecopingwithhigh radiation,solarwind,kineticloadsinducedbycontrolthrusters,andthermalloadsduetopassingin andoutofshadow.Varioustradesincludetheuseofgossamerstructures,spaceinflatables, tensegritystructures,tensioningsystems,andtrusses.

Whatwillbethesourceofmaterials?

EarlydesignsweremadeentirelyofEarthresources.Laterdesignsshoweddesignsusing99%Lunar materialswerepossible.Thesamemaybetrueforasteroidalmaterials.TheEarthsgravitywellis verydeepcomparedtootherbodies,andalsohasthecomplicationsofanatmosphere.Launching fromEarthtakesadvantageofexistingfactoriesandinfrastructure,whilelaunchingfromanyother bodyrequiresacorrespondinginvestmentininfrastructureatthatlocation. LaunchingfromtheMoonorasteroidsrequiressignificantlyreducedV,andisnotconstrainedbythe sizeofashroudtoprotectfromanatmosphere,oroverdesigntosurvivevibrationloadsdueto aerodynamicforces.TheenergyrequiredtogettoGEOorLEOfromtheLunarsurfaceismanytimes lessthanrequiredfromEarth,withtheadditionalbenefitthatelectromagneticlaunchispossible, obviatingtheneedforpropellant.LaunchinginitialpowersatellitecomponentsfromtheMoonor asteroidswouldinvolveasignificanttimepenalty,sincethetimetobuildtherequiredoffearth infrastructureislikelytobeinexcessofadecade.

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Whatwillbethemode(s)oftransportationforthematerials? ThisdiscussionassumesthelocationofthesatellitesaretobeinGEO,thoughconcernsaresimilarfor otherorbits.DirectlaunchfromEarthtoGEOusingchemicalpropellantsmaybepossiblebutishighly undesirablebecauseofthelowpayloadmassfraction.Generallyspeaking,anodalarchitectureis preferred,withEarthtoLEOasonesegment,andLEOtoGEOasanother.Thetypicalpreferred methodistouseareuseablelaunchvehicles(RLVS)oraerospaceplanestogettoLEO,andhigh efficiencySolarElectricTransferVehicles(SETVs)tomovecomponentstoGEO.Awidevarietyof RLVsarepossible,fromtwostagetoorbit(TSTO)rocketpoweredverticallaunchhorizontallanding (VTHL)toMaglevassistedairbreathingorairborneoxygenenrichmenthorizontaltakeoffandlanding (HOTOL).Furtheralternativesincludegunlaunch(typicallyelectromagnetic,orMagLev),aspace elevator,orahybridtethersystemorskycranewheresuborbitallaunchvehiclesdockwiththe bottomofaboostedtether,andthenclimbtheirwayup.LaunchfromtheMoonorAsteroidsis typicallyviaaelectromagneticmeans,otherwiseknownasamassdriverorlunatron.

Relays&Distribution GenerallyspeakingSolarPowerSatellitesassumepointtopointpowerbeamingarchitectures,though itisacknowledgedthattheymayservemultiplereceiversontheground.However,Lunarconcepts requirerelays,andpapershavebeenpublishedwhichproposeaconstellationofrelaysatellitesto distributepoweraroundtheglobe.TheconstructionofsuperconductinggridsonEarthmightalso enablealternatesolarorbitaldesignsaswellasterrestrialones.

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APPENDIXBDEMONSTRATIONROADMAP
ANAGGRESSIVEANDACHIEVABLESBSPTECHNOLOGYDEMONSTRATORROADMAP: 10Years10Megawatts$10Billion Introduction
Oneofthefundamentalchallengesofspacesolarpowerishowtoachievethecriticaltransitionfromanalytical studies, concepts and component science and technology (S&T) to largescale operational systems. The technologyroadmapformulatedbyNASAinthelate1990senvisionedaseriesoffivestages,eachfiveyearsin duration, and each involving significant advances in component technologies and increases in power levels. This 25year roadmap also envisioned potential changes in the design concepts at each stage, perhaps includingfundamentalchangesinthesystemsbeingdemonstratedateachstage. Becauseofthesignificanttechnologicalprogressthathasbeenachievedinthepastdecade,itisnowpossible toenvisionamorestraightforwardapproachthatcouldsignificantlyacceleratethepaceofSBSPtechnology/ system maturation and validation. This new strategy would focus efforts through an integrated largescale demonstrator,tobeflowninlessthan10years,atacostoflessthan$10B,anddeliveringpowertotheEarthof approximately10megawatts.

StepstoaLargeScaleDemonstrator
The concept for a largescale demonstrator involves an integrated pathway for the technical and economic validationofaffordableandabundantSBSP,includingthreemajorstages:(1)beginningintheimmediateterm withfocusedsystemsstudiesandS&T,culminatinginseveralmajorgroundbasedtechnologydemonstrations, and followed by, (2) interim technology flight experiments enabling initial midscale demonstrations in low Earth orbit, culminating in (3) a largescale SBSP demonstrator (a pilot plant) in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO).Figure1illustratesthisconceptualpathwaytoSBSPrealization.

FIGURE1.APathwaytoaSpaceBasedSolarPowerRealization

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STAGE1:InitialTechnologyIntegrationandGroundDemonstration(s)
CriticalOutcomes(by20102011) HighPowerWirelessPowerTransmissionDemonstrations (GroundtoGround,andGroundtoAir) GroundDemonstrationsofSBSPPlatformPrototypes (IncludingRoboticsAssistedPlatformSelfAssembly) ATimelyUpdateofPastSBSPSystemsAnalysisanSBSPQuickLookStudy (FollowedbyPhaseADefinitionStudiesformajorSpacebasedDemonstrations) SupportingSBSPspecificresearch(e.g.,beamsafetyandcontrol) IndependentOngoingHighLeverageS&TinCriticalAreas(e.g.,ReusableLaunchVehicles) Discussion.ProgressisbeingmadeinasidevarietyoftechnologyareasthatareimportanttoSBSP. These include areas such as hightemperature electronic components, highefficiency photovoltaic conversion, machine intelligence, and others. However, enabling SBSP will depend upon more than componentS&T;itwillalsorequirethefocusedremovalofcriticalbarriersthroughintegratedsystems demonstrations. The technology barriers to affordable SBSP revolve around a handful of critical systemslevelchallenges 1 ;theseSBSPspecifichurdlesinclude: CosteffectiveandSafeWirelessPowerTransmission HyperModular/IntelligentSpaceSystems InSpaceAssembly,MaintenanceandServicing HighEfficiencyInSpaceTransportation CriticalPlatformIssues:PowerGeneration,PowerManagement,ThermalManagement, AttitudeControl

Additionally, the overarching requirement for exceptionally lowcost access to space must be addressedinotherprograms.Inaddressingthesechallenges,anumberofhighvaluetechnologies withpotentiallysignificantterrestrialapplicationsneedtobedemonstrated.Theserangefromhigh temperaturesolarcellsandelectronics,tonewconceptsforsolarpowergeneration,tonovelmodular roboticconcepts,andothers.Theseintegratedtechnologydemonstrations,supportingstudies,etc. wouldinvolveatotalcostofapproximately$100Mandcouldbecompletedbyabout2011.

STAGE2:ALEOTechnologyFlightDemonstrationandSupportingFlightExperiments
CriticalOutcomes(by20122013) AnInterimLEOBasedSBSPDemonstrator,Producingnotlessthan100300kW (IncludingRoboticsAssistedPlatformSelfAssembly) FlightExperimentsonVariousAdvancedComponents&SubsystemsatISSandElsewhere (e.g.,SolarCells,ThermalManagementSystems,Robotics,etc.) DetailedDesign(s)ofaLargeScaleSBSPDemonstratorinGEO OngoingHighLeverageS&TinCriticalAreas(e.g.,ReusableLaunchVehicles)
1

In addition, technology advances must address a variety of strategic functional issues, including areas such as reusability, availability,maintainability,affordability,etc.
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 Discussion.ThesecondstageintheSBSPdemonstrationpathwayfocusesontakingnewtechnologies (inareassuchaspowergeneration,powertransmission,inspaceoperations,etc.)tolowEarthorbit for validation. The primary goal is to launch the elements of an SBSP using 23 ExpendableLaunch Vehicles(ELVs),deploythesesemiautonomouslyanduseadvancedroboticstoselfassemblea100 300kWRFPhasedArrayinlowEarthorbit(LEO).Thiswouldbethelargestarrayeverydeployedin space,andwouldinvolveacostofapproximately$1B,andwouldbecompletedbyapproximately2013. A number of other systems and technologies must also be proven. For example, substantial technology development and testing is needed highlyfuel efficient solar electric propulsion system (SEPS), capable of moving the elements of the SBSP demonstrator from LEO to GEO. In addition, during this stage, preliminary design studies of candidate lowcost reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) mustbecompleted. Moreover, as well as advancing SBSP realization, based on these flight experiments and demonstrations,aseriesofinterimsystemsapplicationsoptionscanbeidentifiedalso.Someofthe primarycandidatesforsuchinterimapplicationsinclude: Newclassesoftelecommunicationssatellites Highpowerspacebasedradarsystems Highefficiency,highpowersolarelectricpowerandpropulsionvehicles Groundtogroundwirelesspowertransmissionapplications(onEarthandinSpace,in locationssuchasthepolesoftheMoon). Groundtoairwirelesspowertransmission(e.g.,toairshipsandheavierthanairaircraft)

Andothers. Theseadvancedtechnologyprototypeswouldenablewellinformeddecisionsregardingthefinal stageofSBSPvalidation.

STAGE3:ANAFFORDABLEANDUSEFULSBSPDEMONSTRATORINGEO
CriticalOutcomes(by2016) DeploymentandOperationofaLargeScaleSBSPDemonstratorinGEO,withinspacepowerof approximately60100MWeonorbit,deliveringpowertotheEarthofabout10MWe DemonstrationofanInitialLEOGEOSEPSTransferVehicle,forSBSPElementDeployment DecisiontoProceedwithDevelopmentofaLowCostReusableLaunchVehicle

Discussion.Asafinalstepinadvancingandmaturingthekeytechnologiesandsystemsconceptsfor SBSP,apilotplantisacriticalstep.Someofthecentralfeaturesofanaffordableandusefulinitial SBSPpilotplantinGEOincludethefollowing:ademonstrationpilotplantmust: Involvethesystemsdesignsexpectedinthefullscalesystem; Incorporatecomponentandtechnologysolutionsthatcanbeproveninpreparationfor decisionsonfullscalesystemdesigns; Bescalableinsomeclearandcrediblewaytothefullscalesystem; Involvesupportinginfrastructuresandconceptsofoperationsthatleaddirectlytodecisions forfutureoperationalsystems;and,

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 Bestagedintheactualenvironmentalsettingexpectedfortheultimatefullscalesystems. Figure 2 provides an illustration of one such highly promising conceptual approach to a largescale SBSP demonstrator. Key elements of the demonstrator must include: modular array for wireless powertransmission;highlyreliableopticalsystems;highefficientsolarpowergeneration,andothers.

FIGURE2LargeScaleSBSPDemonstratorConceptinGEO Asnoted,demonstratinganSBSPpilotplantofthisscaleinGEOwillinvolveasubstantialinvestment. Thecostforthisdemonstratorwouldbeapproximately$8B$9B,includingthegoalofusingalargelot purchase of ELVs (not reusable vehicles) to launch the pieces of the SBSP demonstrator into space. Over the three stages, this results in a total cost for this Pathway to SBSP of about $10B over 10 years. As a result, it is critical that the SBSP system in GEO should also provide some useful leave behindcapabilitythathasvalueinandofitself. TheSBSPdemonstrator(s)envisionedherewouldprovideexactlythat:aplatformthatcouldprovide upto10MWeondemandtolocationsworldwide. Thedemonstratorprogramwouldalsoretirethekeyrisksonthepathtoafullscalesystem: (1)Longdistance,highpowerWirelessPowerTransmission(WPT) (2)PlatformAssemblyandServicing (3)PlatformIntegrationandThermalManagement (4)InSpaceTransportation (5)ManufacturingCostsforallmajorArchitectureelements

Summary
In order to achieve the goal of validating the technical and economic feasibility of SBSP, while eliminating residual development risks, a largescale demonstrator in GEO is neededcapable of sending substantial amounts of solar energy from space to the Earth. The concept presented here envisions a three stage pathway, including an initial program of ground technology development,

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leadingtoaseriesofflightexperimentsandademonstrationinLEO,andinturntoatechnologyflight demonstrationatasubstantialscaleinGEO. The described scenario represents a fundamentally new roadmap to the realization of SBSPfaster thantheverycautious,25yearapproachpresentedbyNASAinthelate1990s,whilebeingfarmore costeffectivevalidatingtechnologyateachstageinordertoinformsubsequentdecisionsthanthe allupdevelopmentapproachsuggestedattheendoftheDOENASAstudiesofthe1970s.Thisnew roadmapalsoyieldssignificantbenefitsalongtheway. Eachstageinthispathwayhasthepotentialtopayforitself.Theearliesttechnologydevelopments could directly support nearterm applications in space and/or terrestrial markets. The midterm technology flight experiments and interim demonstrations in LEO could potentially result in a wide rangeofhighleveragenovelspacesystemsapplications.Finally,thelargescaledemonstrationinGEO wouldleavebehindthecapabletodelivermegawattsofpowertoanylocationonEarthwithinview oftheplatform.Thisisanapproachthatcouldactuallyprovethetechnicalandeconomicfeasibilityof SBSPanddosowithinthenextdecade.

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APPENDIXCBUSINESSCASEANALYSIS
ThefollowingnarrativeisasummaryofthebusinesscaseperspectivesurroundingSBSPascompiled bythestudysBusinessCaseAnalysissubgroup. Drivers: TherearetwoseparatebusinesscasestobemadeforthedevelopmentofSpaceBasedSolar Power,withverydifferentdynamics.Bothinvolvetheneedforpowerandenergysecurity deliverableinaclean,safe,reliable,unlimitedandsustainablemanner. ThefirstbusinesscaseScenario1UrgentNeedisbasedontheuseofSBSPtoquickly provide(likelyonatemporarynotpermanentbasis)baseloadpowertoaspecificlocation.This mayprovidetroopsabroadinunfriendlyorillequippedterritorywithpower.Itmaybeusedto helppeacekeepingmissionsinremoteorunderdevelopedlocations.Itcouldalsobeusedtore establishpowerindisasterzonessuchasthoseaffectedbydevastatinghurricanes,earthquakes, tsunamisorothernaturaldisasters(eitherdomesticortoprovidevaluableforeignaid,iforwhen theseoccurinotherpartsoftheworld)wheretheexistinginfrastructurehasbeendamagedor destroyedandcannotbequicklyrebuilt.Thevalueofthepowerprovidedinthesecircumstances isveryhigh,somewouldsaypriceless. ThesecondbusinesscaseScenario2CommercialBaseloadisfortheuseofSBSPasaclean alternativesourceofbaseloadpowertoaugmentand/orreplaceexistingpowergeneratedby burningfossilfuels.Thispowercouldbesoldtothegridsdomesticallyorabroadorboth.The valueofpowerprovidedhereisthecommoditypriceofelectricity(regardlessofproduction method)withperhapsapremiumforthecleannatureofthepower.Theabilitytosellcarbon offsetcreditsmayalsoexist. Bothofthesebusinesscasesareaffectedbythesamedriversbuttheultimatewillingnessto defraythecostsmayberadicallydifferentbetweenthefirstandthesecond.Otherscenarios havebeendiscussedconcerningthepotentialuseofsolarenergyandbeamedpowertoproduce chemicalsandtransportationfuels.Theseadditionalapplicationsandmarketswouldhelpto augmentthebusinesscase. Themaindriversaffectingthesebusinesscasesarelaunchcost,theexistingandprojectedcosts ofenergy,environmentalconcernsandregulationsandtheexistingorpotentialalternative energysources. Inadditiontothevalueofthepower,therewillbeotherbenefitstosocietyfromthisproject.Jobs willbecreateddomesticallyandthatwillleadtoeconomicgrowth.ItwillenableaccesstoSpace forotherobjectives,bothcommercialandgovernmentmakingzerogmanufacturingandspace tourismmoreattractivebusinesspropositionsandwillaidexplorationoftheMoon,Marsand beyond. LaunchCost Theconsensusofcontributorstothisstudyisthatlaunchcostisthesinglemostimportantdriver ofthebusinesscaseforSBSP. ThevehiclefleetnecessarytoplaceaSBSPsystemintoorbitdoesnotexisttoday.Sincelaunch costisprimarilyafunctionofrate,thehighdemandcreatedbyaSBSPprogramwouldnaturally drivedownthesecosts.Itwouldleadtoparallelinvestmentinlaunchsystemsbylaunch

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providerssotheycanmaximizetheircaptureofthislucrativefuturelaunchmarket.Increased demand(andthecapitalavailabilitynecessarytobuildthesefleets)couldbeenoughtotiplaunch economicsintoavirtuouscycleofcostimprovement,andcouldleadtobreakthroughsin propulsiontechniques.TodayslaunchcostdoesnotjustifythebusinesscaseforSBSPinScenario 2butScenario1maystillbeviable. Inadditiontothecurrentlyinsufficientandextremelyexpensivelaunchfleet,anotherissueisthat mostlaunchestoSpacetodayareonEELVs.Expendablevehicleswillnotsupportthebusiness caseforSBSP.ReusableLaunchVehicleswill.RLVswithlowoperatingcostsandturnaroundtime areneededtomaketheUrgentNeedscenarioareality.Theywouldprovidedeliveryforcargo, (suchassatellitesspacebasedsolarpower,communications,navigation,and/orearth observationetc);propellanttofuturedepotsandforcrewandcargototheISS,futureBigelow and/orotherspacestations.RLVsalsoanswertheneedforspacetourismvehiclesandforthe rapiddeploymentofmilitaryassetstodistantlocations.DevelopmentofRLVshaslikelybeen hinderedbythelackofasufficientlylargemarket(payloads)thusfar.Together,RLVandSBSP developmentcanmakeoneanotherviable. SincenationalenergysecurityisoneofthelargerconcernsthatSBSPcouldsolve,itisalso importantthattheaccesstoSpace,intheformofRLVsbeideallyofdomestic(orveryfriendly) origin.Buyingtheseservicesfromanothercountrymightnotleadtotheindependencedesired. Achievinglaunchcostsof$200/lbor$440/kgcouldmaketheCommercialBaseloadfeasible,ifthe energyweresoldat@810centsperkWh.Atthesecostnumbers,projectsthatproduceSBSP systemscouldcompetewithotherlargecapitalinfrastructureprojectsforfinancecapital(e.g., coalfiredandnuclearpowerplants). Manyrecommendationshavebeenmadetomanufacturecomponentsforthesatellitesfrom lunarmaterials.ThismethodrequiresplacingverymassiveandcomplexinfrastructureinSpace andontheMooninordertoconstructthepowersystems.Itstillrequiresextensivelaunchfrom Earth,inadditiontothedevelopmentoftechnologiestomanufacturecomponentsfromlunar regolith.ThusthebusinesscaseforSBSPgetspushedfurtheroutintime,andlikelyincostifthat ishowtheprojectstarts.Forexpansionpurposeshowever,lunarmaterialsmaybeavaluable contributor. Theimportanceandscaleofthelogisticsandinfrastructureneededhasbeenaddressedina previoussectionofthisreport. EnergyConcerns,PricesandCosts Oilpriceshaveincreasedfromlessthan$15USperbarrelduring1999toover$80USperbarrel today(2007).Thehigheroilpricesgo,themoreviablebecomesthebusinesscaseforScenario2 SBSPasanalternativesourceofenergy. Pricethoughisnottheonlyconcern.ThestabilityandsecurityoftheflowofoilintotheUnited Statesisalsoveryimportant.WhileCanadaisAmericaslargestsupplier,muchoftherestofher importedoilcomesfromtheunstableregionsoftheMiddleEastorunstablecountriessuchas NigeriaorunfriendlyonessuchasVenezuela.Energysecurityandcontinuedsupplyareserious concerns. Oilsuppliesmaynotrunoutinourlifetimesbutwemustplanforfuturegenerations.Suppliesare beingconsumedatahigherratethannewreservesarebeingdiscovered.Demandhas dramaticallyincreasedfromemergingcountriessuchasChinaandIndia,alongwiththeslow steadyincreasesfromWesterneconomies.Decreasingsupplyorincreasingdemandcaneach

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leadtohigherprices.Withbothforcesactingtogether,higherpricesareexpectedtocontinue andaccelerate. Coalandnaturalgas,whichareprimarilyusedforthegenerationofelectricity,havealsoseen priceincreasesinrecentyearsthoughnottothedegreethatoilhasincreased.Sincethesourceof theseisprimarilydomestic,itisnotsubjecttothesameuncertaintypremiumthatoilcurrently carries.Coalbasedelectricity,usingcurrentemissioncontrols,provideselectricityatabout5cents perkWh(busbarcost).Theprimarychallengetothisisglobalwarming,whichmayforcenew plants(andretrofitsatexistingplants)tocaptureCO2forsequestration.Carboncaptureand sequestrationtechnologiesandsystemsareexpectedtoaddatleastafewcentsperkWh. EnvironmentalConcernsandRegulation Themountingconcernsoverclimatechangeandglobalwarmingthreatsarekeydriversforthe businesscase,particularlyforCommercialBaseload.Restrictiveregulationsandproposedcarbon taxesmaybecreatedthataffectthecost,anduseofexistingsourcesofenergy(particularly energycreatedthroughtheburningoffossilfuels),andmakeSBSPmorecostcompetitive.SBSP doesnotleadtoincreasedconsumptionoffossilfuelsortohigherCO2emissions.It,therefore,is particularlyattractivetoallconcernedwithprotectingandimprovingourenvironment. Itisveryimportantthatenvironmentalconcernsareattheforefrontoftheplanningofallaspects ofthedevelopmentandlaunchofSBSPsatellitesystemsandthelandbasedrectennas.The(non financial)benefitstotheenvironmentofSBSPwillbetheKEYdriverforsomeinterestedparties. AnalysisofAlternativeEnergySources CommercialBaseloadSBSPmustbeabletocompetewithLandBased(Terrestrial)SolarPower, WindPower,Biofuels,FossilFuels,NuclearFissionandwithfuturesourcesofenergywhichhave notyetbeendeveloped. ThischartcomparesanumberofsourcesofpowerwithSBSPintermsoftheirsafety,reliability, abilitytoprovidebaseloadpowerandwhethertheyqualifyascleanandgreen. Source FossilFuel Nuclear WindPower GroundSolar Hydro Biofuels SpaceSolar Clean No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Safe Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Reliable Decadesremaining FuelLimited Intermittent Intermittent Baseload Yes Yes No No

Drought;ComplexScheduling LimitedQtyCompetesw/Food Yes Yes

Otherspeculativeenergysourceswhichmaycomeintoimportanceinthefuturecouldinclude fusion.FusionwouldbethemostcomparabletoSBSPasitalsooffersaccessto,forallimmediate purposes,anunlimitedsupplyofenergy. Theinterestofthepublicandofinvestorsinalternativeenergiesandfuelsisrisingrapidly. WhentoTransitiontoCommercialSector

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AtthisstageisimportanttoaskwhySBSPisnotyetbeingdonebythecommercialsector.What needstohappenforthemtodevelopacredibleinterest? ThereareatleasttwoprivateentitieswhichareworkingonmakingSBSParealityatthemoment. Oneisactivelylookingbothforinvestorsandprepurchaseagreementsforthefuturesaleofthe power(primarilytoIndiaatthisstage).AnotherisproposingaCongressionallychartered corporation(SunsatCorporation)tocreateapublic/privatecorporationsuchaswhenComsat(for thedevelopmentofcommunicationssatellites)wascreatedin1962. ElonMusk,oneofthefoundersofPayPal,whilestillanundergraduateaskedhimselfWell,what arethemostsignificantproblemshumanityfaces?Thethreethat[cametomind]werespace exploration,theinternetandcleanenergy.Just,youknow,intermsofwhatwouldaffectthe worldthemost.Hebecamewealthythroughtheinternetcompanieshecreated.Whenhewas laterlookingatspacebusinessestostart,heconsideredSBSPbuteliminateditasanoptionasthe necessaryinexpensivelaunchcapabilitydidnotexist.Insteadhedecidedtoworkontheissueof cheaplaunchfirst,throughthecreationofSpaceX.(Alsoconcernedaboutcleanenergyandthe issuesofCO2emissionsandglobalwarming,hebecameamajorinvestorinTeslaMotors,thenew electriccarcompany.) Investorsandthecommercialsectorhaveconcernsthatstillneedtobeaddressed.Theyneedto believethatSBSPistechnicallypossibleandthatthenecessarytechnologiestomakeit economicallyviableareatasufficientstageofreadinessthattheycangooutandpurchasethem, shouldtheychoosetobecomeinvolvedwithSBSP.Intellectualpropertyrightsandfrequencies forpowerbeamingmustbeprotected. Demonstrationsandproofsofconceptsareneeded.Untilbusinessisconfidentthisispractical anddoable(andnotjusttechnicallyfeasibleassumingthatvarioustechnologiesmature)andthat itcanbuyormakethecomponentsnecessary,itwilllikelyjustwatchbutnotact. Incentiveswouldhelp.Thesecouldincludeloanguarantees,availabilityofballoonloans(where interestpaymentsaredeferreduntiltheSBSPsystemisoperational),transferabletaxcredits, subsidiessimilartothosealreadyinexistenceforotheralternativeenergysources,energypre purchaseagreements,and/ortaxholidaysonthesaleofthepower. Thecommercialsectorneedstoseeprofitpotentialwithinareasonabletimeframe. Electricutilitiesunderstandtheneedforlargeamountsofcapitalforinfrastructuredevelopment. Thiscanbeacceptableaslongasthepaybackislargeandforanextendedperiod.Thepayback periodandrateofreturnsmustbeattractiveaftertheamortizationoftheinfrastructurecosts. Public/privatepartnershipsareapossibilitybutmaynotbeneeded.AsstrictlycommercialSBSP corporationsdeveloptheconfidenceinthetechnologiesandinthebusinesscase,theywould prefertoproceedwithoutgovernmentinterventionorpartnership.Havingthegovernmentasa guaranteedcustomerforthepowerwouldreducetheriskforacommercialSBSPenterpriseand couldhelpwiththeavailabilityandtermsoffinancings. HOWTOFUNDR&D: Government WhetherSBSPbeginsasScenario2(alargescale,commerciallyviablesystem)orScenario1(a purelyDoD/governmentsystemlimitedtoexpeditionary,disasterrelieforhumanitarian operations,wherecompetitivepricingisnotthekeydriver),moreresearchanddevelopment

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needstooccur.Technicalproblemsneedtoberesolved,retiringsomeoftherisksandthus makingitmoreattractivetoprivateindustry. Theprevioussectiononscienceandtechnologyaddressesmanyofthetechnologieswhere researchneedstooccur.Reusablelaunchvehicles,satellitecomponentfabricationandinspace construction,powerbeamingtechniques,integratedspacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureandthe spacehardness,massreductionandefficienciesofsolarcellmaterialsareallareasthatneedmore researchanddevelopment. Governmentfundedresearchisnecessaryandmaybemandatory.Usingacademiatoconduct someoftheresearchwouldbedesirable.Sharingcostsbetweengovernment,academiaand corporateinterestswhocouldthencommercializeresultsintoproductswouldbeevenbetter. UsingtheresourcesofNASAs(former)ResearchPartnershipCenterswhichhavealreadydone someoftheresearchintoSBSP,launch,materialsandotherconceptswouldbevaluable.DARPA alsohasexistingrelationshipswithuniversitiesthatarelikelytomatchwellwiththeresearch goalsresultingfromthisstudy.Notonlydoesthisprovidevaluablehelpandcreativitytothe researchefforts,butitcouldbuildupthefutureworkforceofexpertisebygivingstudents excitingandimpactfulworktofocusonwhileatuniversity. Usingseedstudiestoconductresearchmaybeusefulnotonlyforachievingtheresultingresearch resultsbuttheycouldbeusedstrategicallytobuildpoliticalsupportfromcompaniesinthe aerospace,broaderenergysectorandwithinenvironmentalgroups. Private Privateresearchcouldbeencouragedinanumberofways.Firstitisimportantforprivate enterprisestoknowthatDoDorothergovernmentorganizationsareinterestedintheseproducts andmaybeafuturemarketforthem.Someresearchmayvoluntarilybedoneifitcanbeshown thatresultingproductsdevelopedaredualusetechnologies,andhaveanimmediatenonSBSP market.Solarcellmanufacturersarealreadyworkingonincreasedefficienciesincellsaswellasin manufacturingtechniquestoincreasetheoutputinterrestrialsolarpowersystems. PrivateindustryspendingcouldalsobeencouragedthroughtheuseoftransferableR&Dtax credits.Otheralternativeenergyindustriesreceivesubsidiesfromthegovernment.SBSPtoo wouldbenefitfromsuchgovernmentsourcesoffunding. ROADMAPTOSUCCESS Priorities? Ademonstrationorproofofconceptisakeypriority.TheUrgentNeedscenariowilllikelyfollow quicklyuponsuccessfulcompletionofareasonablescaledemonstration.CommercialBaseload becauseofthelargerscaleinvolvedmayneedfurtherresearchonsomeofthedriversbehindthe businesscase(suchaslaunchcost/RLVtechnology).Justtheawarenessofquantifyingthese issuesmaymakethemeasiertoovercomeoncetheconfidenceintheconceptexists.Focusthen canbeonreducingthecostofthekeyfactorsuntilthebusinesscaseisundeniable.Theremay thenbecompetitiontobuildSBSPsystemsworldwide. WhatCurrentWorkMustWeLeverageOffOf? AllpreviousworkonSpaceBasedSolarPower,SolarPowerSatellitesand/orSpaceSolarPower shouldbereviewed.MuchofthathasalreadybeendoneforthisSBSPArchitectureStudyand

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manyofthewritersofthesereportshavecontributedvaluablefeedback,thoughtsandadviceto thisprocess. Aninventoryshouldbecreatedofwho(individuals,corporationsandorganizations)hasthe expertiserelatedtothevariousareasdiscussedinthestudiesandwhoisactivelyworkingonthe researchanddevelopmentneededtomakeSBSPareality.Areaswhereresearchisneededmust beidentifiedandfunded.Debateshavearisenamongstthecontributorsastothevalueofvarious competingtechnologies.Moredetailsonthetechnologicalcriterianeedtobeexploredand tested.Thesemustbecomparedandthemostpracticalandviable,focusedupon. Theprivatesectorshouldbeengaged.Thenewspacecompaniesworkingonreusablelaunch, spacestationsandothertechnologiesshouldbeconsultedandencouragedaswellasthe traditionallargeaerospacecompanies.Bothmayhavethevision,creativityanddrivenecessaryto helpmakeSBSPhappen. Prizesforsolutionstospecificissueshavebeenshowntobevaluable.Appropriateprizesshould befundedandpublicized. Aboardofadvisorsshouldbecreated.Itshouldconsistofinterestedpartiesfromawidevariety ofindustrieswhoarecommittedtohelpingtomakeSBSPareality. WhatWorkMustWeStimulateOtherstoDo? Researchthatcanbeoutsourcedtoprivateindustryoracademiashouldbeencouraged, incentivizedorfunded.ForumssuchastheNSSOSBSPdiscussgroupsandtheSpaceFrontier Foundatiowebsitehaveprovenvaluablefordiscussionandideagenerationbothonthesitesand behindthescenes.Continuingtousesuchtoolscanprovidevaluableandfreeadvice. WhatWorkMustWeInitiate? SBSPneedsachampion.ThebenefitsitcanprovidearebenefitstothemilitaryinScenario1but alsotosocietyasawholethoughthedevelopmentofcleansafeenergyfromSpaceinScenario2. SomefeelitshouldbeaneffortledbymanygovernmentdepartmentsbutDoDhastakenthat lead.Itseesthevaluethatappliestothemanysectorsoftheeconomy,andtothecountryasa whole.TheseeffortsbyDoDhaveleadtoahighercredibilityforthissolutionthanhasexisted thusfaranditcontinuestobuild.TheshorttermbenefitsunderUrgentNeedaremorevaluable toDoDthantoanyoneelse.Takingtheleadershiprole,providingmanpowerandfinancingto furtherresearchandstudySBSP,andtoencourageproductdevelopmentisworkthatDoDmust continuetoinitiateandsupport.Onepathwouldbetodefineandfundaseriesofthesmallest meaningfuldemonstrationsrelatedtowirelesspowertransfer,SPSassembly,andSPSoperations leadingtoa5MWepilotforremotebasesupport.

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APPENDIXDSBSPLOGISTICSANDINFRASTRUCTURE
SpaceBasedSolarPowerStudy SpacefaringLogisticsInfrastructureBreakoutSessionSummary
ThefollowingappendixdescribesoneadvocacypositionfromwithintheNSSOSBSPStudy Logistics&Infrastructuresubgroup.

Introduction
Anyformofindustrialscalespacebasedorspacederivedenergyfirstrequiresthe establishmentofanintegratedlogisticsinfrastructureenablingsafeandroutineoperations byhumansandroboticsystemsthroughouttheEarthMoonsystem.Thelogistics infrastructurebreakoutsessionofthespacebasedsolarpower(SBSP)studyfocusedon definingthesespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructurecapabilities.

Purpose
CurrentU.S.NationalSpacePolicystates:"Inthisnewcentury,thosewhoeffectively utilizespacewillenjoyaddedprosperityandsecurityandwillholdasubstantialadvantage

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overthosewhodonot.FreedomofactioninspaceisasimportanttotheUnitedStatesasair powerandseapower.Inordertoincreaseknowledge,discovery,economicprosperity,and toenhancethenationalsecurity,theUnitedStatesmusthaverobust,effective,andefficient spacecapabilities.(Emphasisadded) DevelopingspacebasedorspacederivedenergytomeettheUnitedStatesneedsfor assuredenergyavailabilityisoneexampleofhowspacemaybemoreeffectivelyutilizedin thecomingdecades.Tobeabletosuccessfullyutilizespace,however,thenationscurrent shortfallinachievingrobust,effective,andefficientspacecapabilitiesmustfirstbe corrected.Thepurposeofthelogisticsinfrastructurebreakoutsessionwastoidentifynear termtechnicalconceptsandanimplementationstrategytoprovideAmericanspace enterpriseswiththeneededrobust,effective,andefficientspaceoperationalcapabilities.

Assumptions
1. Thedevelopmentofanintegratedspacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureispartofa generalnationalspacestrategytoestablishmasteryofoperationsinspaceand transformtheUnitedStatesintoatruespacefaringnation.Thiswillrequire,over severaldecades,nationalinvestmenttostrengthenandexpandthenations aerospaceindustryandassociatedcapabilities. Whilesupportingthedevelopment,deployment,andoperationofspacebasedsolar power,thespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructurewillalsobeusedbyallAmerican spacefaringenterprises. Theinfrastructurewillbedevelopedasapublicprivatepartnershipemphasizing competitivecommercialproductsandservicestoprovideassurednational spacefaringlogisticscapabilities.Followingtheestablishmentofbaseline capabilities,thecommercialextensionandexpansionofthesecommercial spacefaringlogisticscapabilitieswillbeencouraged. Thecentralfunctionoftheintegratedspacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureisto transport,sustain,andserviceAmericanspaceenterprises,bothgovernmentaland commercial,throughouttheEarthMoonsystem,by2030,andthroughoutthe centralsolarsystemby2050. Thedevelopmentanddeploymentofthespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructurewillbe undertakeninphases.Thetimephasingofthedevelopmentanddeploymentofthe phaseswillbescheduledsuchthatlaterphasesbootstrapoffofearlierphases. EmphasiswillbeplacedonemployingTechnologyReadinessLevel69technologies toestablishtheinitialoperationalcapabilityofeachphaseandthentousepre plannedproductimprovementstointroduceimprovedsystemswithmoreadvanced technologiesleadingtoimprovedsafety,performance,andoperability. Spacefaringoperations,whileemphasizingthepracticaluseofrobots,will necessarilyremainahumanactivitytooverseetheconstructionandoperationof boththespacefaringlogisticscapabilitiesaswellasSBSPsystems.Thespacefaring logisticsinfrastructuremustprovidesuitablysafeliving,work,andtransportation capabilitiesforhumanstravelingtoandlivingandworkinginspace. ThedevelopmentofboththespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureandtheSBSP systemwilleachbeamajornationalundertaking.Assuch,thesewillhaveaccessto thenecessarynationalresourcesfortheirdevelopment,production,andoperations.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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9. WhiletheinitialelementsoftheSBSPsatelliteswillbeconstructedentirelyonthe Earthorinspacefromterrestriallysuppliedcomponents,laterSBSPsatellitesmaybe substantiallyconstructedinspacefromextraterrestrialmaterials.Laterphasesof thespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructurearchitecturewillprovidethecapabilitiesto establish,maintainandsupportsuchfutureSBSPsatelliteconstructionmethods. 10. Allnewhabitationandtransportationsystemsusedbyhumanswillbefullyreusable andwillbecertifiedasairworthythroughappropriateacceptanceinspectionand bothgroundandflighttestingpriortoplacementintoservice. 11. ThestartdateforthefullscaleengineeringdevelopmentoftheinitialPhase1 elementsofthespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureis2009followingpreliminary organizationalandengineeringactivitiesbeingundertakenin2008.

Infrastructuredeploymentphases(20092050)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Establishroutineaccesstolowearthorbit(LEO). EstablishLEOspacelogisticsdepots. ExtendroutinetransportationthroughouttheEarthMoonsystem. Supporttheinitialspacebasedsolarpowersatellitedemonstrations,assembly,and operationsingeostationaryorbit(GEO). SupportincreasedhumanandroboticresourcesurveymissionstotheMoon. ExpandLEOcapacitytosupporttheincreasedassemblyofSBSPsatellites. Establishpermanentlunarsurfacecapabilitiestosupporttheextractionofresources. EstablishEarthMoonLagrangianlogisticscapabilitiestosupportinspaceSBSP componentmanufacturingusingextraterrestrialresources.

Capabilitiesandexampleinfrastructureconceptsdeployedduringthefirstthree phases
1. Phase1Establishroutineaccesstolowearthorbit(LEO): a. Capability: EstablishroutineEarthtoorbittransportforpassengersandcargowith aircraftlikesafetyandoperability Establishspaceliftforheavyandoversizecargo b. Strategy: Developnew,fullyreusabletwostage,rocketpoweredspaceaccesssystems (aerospaceplanes)forpassengerandcargotransport Generation1aerospaceplanefollowedbyGen1.5aerospaceplane DevelopShuttlederivedsystemsasaneartermtransportreplacementfor theSpaceShuttleandtoprovidefutureheavyspacelift Generation1ShuttlederivedspacelifterfollowedbyGen1.5spacelifter andthenGen2spacelifter c. System1Gen1aerospaceplanes: Mission:Transportpassengersandcargowithaircraftlikesafetyand operability Configuration:Twostage,fullyreusable,rocketpowered CurrentTRL:69 Grossweight:~3millionlbs(1,400mtons)

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Netcargoweight:25,000lb(11.4mtons)to51.6@270nm(500km)circular (cargocarriedexternally) Passengers:10usingpassengerspaceplanecarriedexternallyinlieuofcargo container Deploytwodesignindependenttypesforassuredspaceaccess;4operational systemspertypefor8totalsystems Averageturnaroundtime:4weeks(IOC);2weeks(FOC) Annualfleetflightcapacity(FOC):~20persystem;~160forfleet Recurringmissioncost(FOC):~1,100/lbor$2,400/kg(net)or~$26M(cargo); ~$36M(passenger) OperatefromKennedySpaceCenterandVandenbergAirForceBase IOCyear:2018(nominalwith2009start);2016(acceleratedwith2009start) d. System2Gen1.5aerospaceplanes(blockupdateofGen1): Mission:TransportSBSPsatellitemodules/components Configuration:Twostage,fullyreusable,rocketpoweredoptimizedforthe SBSPcargopayloads TRL69availabilitydate:2015;focusedonincreasedenginelife,increased thermalprotectionsystemdurability,decreasedrecurringoperationalcosts, anddecreasedturnaroundtime Netcargoweight:30,00050,000lb(13.622.7mtons)deliveredto28.5@270 nmcircular Deploytwodesignindependenttypesforassuredspaceaccess;10 operationalsystemspertypefor20totaloperationalsystems Annualfleetflightcapacity(FOC):~80persystem;~1,600ormoreforfleet Annualfleetcargocapacity:~32,000tons(29,000mtons)at40,000lbper mission Recurringmissioncost(FOC):~$225/lb($500/kg)(net)orless,or~$9Morless permission Operatefrom5ormoresitesworldwide IOCdate:2023(nominally5yearsafterGen1aerospaceplanenominalIOCof 2018);2020(accelerated4yearsafterGen1aerospaceplaneacceleratedIOC of2016) e. System3Passengerspaceplane Mission:Transportpassengerstoandfromthespaceconstructionstation, spacelogisticsbase,andspacehabitat Configuration:10passengerminiorbitercarriedaspayloadon,first,theGen 1.5Shuttlederivedspacelifterand,then,ontheGen1aerospaceplane Approximateweight:~40,000lbs(18.2mtons) IOCyear:2016(nominalwith2009start);2014(acceleratedwith2009start) f. System4Gen1Shuttlederivedspacelifter(example:Jupiter120describedat directlauncher.com): Mission:ReplaceSpaceShuttlefortransportingastronautsandcargotothe InternationalSpaceStationandotherLEOlocations;provideastronaut transportusingcrewcapsule Verticallystacked,unmannedversionofthepresentSpaceShuttle CurrentTRL:79

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 Grosscargoweight:~32to64mtonsintolowellipticalorbit IOCyear:2014(nominalwith2009start);2012(acceleratedwith2009start) g. System5Gen1.5Shuttlederivedspacelifter Mission:ModificationtotheGen1spaceliftertoimprovehumantransport andtoenablethedeploymentoftheinitialPhase2spaceconstruction station Configuration:Modifiedconfigurationtoaccommodateasinglepassenger spaceplane(10passengers)andtocarryanupperstagetoplacethePhase2 spaceconstructionstationsintoLEO Deliveredpayloadweight:~140,000lb(64mtons)to51.6@270nmcircular IOCyear:2016(nominal);2014(accelerated) h. System6Gen2Shuttlederivedspacelifter Mission:ReplaceGen1.5tosupportlargerpayloadsandhigherflightrates; usedtolaunchthemodulestoassemblethePhase2spacefacilitiesandto launchlargeSBSPmodulesthatcannotbecarriedontheGen1.5 aerospaceplane Configuration:Verticallystackedconfigurationusingtwoflybackboosters basedontheGen1aerospaceplanebooster,anewcorepropellanttankusing updated/lowercostmanufacturingprocessesanddesignedforonorbit reuse,and,possibly,anewcoredisposableenginewithincreased performanceovertherocketenginestobeusedfortheGen1spacelifter Deliveredpayloadweight:~200,000250,000lb(90114mtons)to51.6@270 nmcircular Annualflightrate:12(nominal);24(max) IOCdate:SameatGen1aerospaceplane(2018,nominal;2016,accelerated) 2. Phase2EstablishLEOSpaceLogisticsDepots: a. Capability:EstablishthefirsttwoEarthorbitingspacelogisticsdepotsthatwillbe theprimarydestinationsfortheinitialsurfacetoLEOtransportationsystems,the baseofoperationsforLEOlogisticsservicingsupport,andthebaseofoperations fortransportationwithintheEarthMoonsystem. b. Depotsystems:Eachspacelogisticsdepotwillbeinitiallycomprisedofthe following(inorderofdeployment):spaceconstructionstations,spacetugs, spacelogisticsbase/spacedock,spacepropellant/powerstations,and100person spacehabitat. c. Orbitallocation:Thefirstspacedepotislocatedat28.5andthesecondat51.6. Thedepotsareplacedincircularorbitsataltitudesthatachievearepeating groundtrack.Forthe28.5depot,thisisatapproximately260nm(481km) altitude,whilethe51.6depotisatapproximately269nm(500km)altitude.The facilitiesareflowninastringofpearlsarrangementalongtheorbitalpath separatedby1020nm(1836km).Therepeatinggroundtrackprovidesnear dailyaccesstoeachdepotfromtheprimarylaunchsiteatKSC. d. System1Spaceconstructionstation:ASkylablikespacestation,housinga workcrewof10,designedtosupporttheassemblyofthelargerdepotspace facilities.TwostationsaredeployedtoeachdepotusingeithertheGen1.5orthe Gen2spacelifter.

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e. System2Spacetug:amoderatesizespaceshipusedformaterialhandlingand spacesearchandrescue.Thespacetugsaretransportedtoorbitusingeitherthe Gen1spacelifter(ifneededearlier)ortheGen1aerospaceplane.Thespacetug includesprovisionsforacrewof3operatingforupto4daymissions.Thespace tugisprimarilyusedtoreceivecargotransportedtoLEObytheaerospaceplanes andtohelpmaneuverspacefacilitymodulesduringassembly.Thespacetugis capableofretrievingadisabledpassengerspaceplaneorspacetug.Ithasan idealVofapproximately5,500ft/sec(1.7km/sec). f. System3Spacelogisticsbase/spacedock:alargespacestationconfiguredfor logisticssupportoperationsincludingspacefacility,largespaceship,andSBSP satelliteassembly;spaceshipberthing;satelliteandspaceshipmaintenance, repair,andupgradesupport;andpersonnelhousing.Theprimarylogistics featuresofthespacelogisticsbasearethetwolarge(33ftor10mdiameter) spacehangarsthatenablepressurizedshirtsleevesupportforsatellites, passengerspaceplanes,spacetugs,andspaceferries,andan850ft(260m)long spacedockthatenablestheassemblyoflargespacefacilities,suchasthe100 personspacehabitat,andlargeSBSPsatelliteassemblies.Thebasehousesa workcrewof2030personnelinazerogenvironment. g. System4Spacepropellant/powerstation:aspaceconstructionstation modifiedtostoreanddispensepropellantsusedforinspacepropulsionand auxiliaryfuelcellpowersystems. h. System5Spacehabitat:a100personcombinationspacehotel,officebuilding, andlogisticssupportfacilitythatprovidesexpandedinspacehousingandwork areastosupporttheassemblyofSBSPsatellites.Thespacehabitatrotatesto producemodestlevelsofartificialgravity.Ithasapproximately29,000ft2(2,700 m2)ofusefulfloorareaaswellastwolargespacehangarsforreceivingcargoand passengers.Thespacehabitatisassembledatthespacelogisticsbasesspace dockusinglargemodulestransportedtoLEObytheGen2spacelifter.Thespace habitatcanbeexpandedtoaccommodateupto300people. 3. Phase3ExtendroutinetransportationthroughouttheEarthMoonsystem: a. Capability: EstablishroutinepassengerandcargotransportthroughouttheEarthMoon system ProvideonsitelogisticsservicingsupportthroughouttheEarthMoonsystem ProvideemergencysearchandrescueofhumansthroughouttheEarthMoon system b. System1Spaceferry:amediumsize,fullyreusablespaceshipcapableof transportingpayloadsofaproximately30,000lb(13.6mtons)toGEO,Earth MoonLagrangianpoints,andlunarorbit.Thespaceferryisalsousedto transportpassengersandcargobetweentheLEOspacelogisticsdepotsand destinationsintheEarthmoonsystem,andtoperformlimitedinspacelogistics servicing. c. System2Spacetransport:alarge,fullyreusablespaceshipthatservesasa mobilespacelogisticsbasetoprovidetemporaryonsitelogisticssupportfor satelliteassemblyandoperations.Thespacetransportincorporatesalarge spacehangar,similartothoseattheLEOspacelogisticsbase,toenableboth D-6

pressurizedandextravehicularlogisticssupportoperationstobeperformed. Whenoperatingasamobilespacebase,operatingcrews,supplies,andlogistics supportmaterialsaretransportedtothespacetransportusingspaceferries.The spacetransportisassembledatthespacelogisticsbasesspacedockusing componentstransportedtoLEOusingtheGen2spacelifter. Notes: FactsheetsdescribingeachofthePhase13conceptsareavailable.These provideillustrationsanddescriptionsofsystemconceptsandadditionaldesign, operations,andcost(whereavailable)details.Theconceptsdescribedinthese factsheetsandinthissummaryareonlyillustrativeandmeanttodepict systemsandcapabilitiesthatindustryshouldbecapableofproviding. WiththeexceptionoftheGen1.5aerospaceplane,thedevelopmentand deploymentofthePhase13systemsarenottieddirectlytothedeploymentof spacebasedsolarpower.TheyareintendedtobroadlysupportAmericanspace enterprises.Hence,theinitiationofthedevelopmentoftheinitialPhase1 systemscanbestartedimmediatelyastherearenearterm(TRL69)solutions. TheGen1Shuttlederivedspacelifter(alsoreferredtoastheJupiter120),should itbedeveloped,willbeundertakenbyNASAseparatefromtheseinfrastructure activities.Futureversionsofthespacelifterwillbeundertakenaspartofthe integratedspacefaringlogisticsinfrastructuresothatallAmericanspace enterpriseshavethebenefitofheavyandoversizespaceaccess.

Implementationstrategy
1. Assumptions: a. Thedevelopmentanddeploymentofthespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureis undertakenseparatelyfromanyspacebasedorspacederivedenergysystem. b. Anewpublicprivatepartnershipisestablishedspecificallyforbuildingand operatingthespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructure. c. Theinitialspacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureisundertakenusingprimarily commercialproductandserviceproviders. d. Consistentwiththeneedforassuredspaceaccess,nationalfreedomof operationsinspace,andtheextensionofU.S.lawandregulations,titleand controloftheprincipalelementsoftheinfrastructurewillremainwiththefederal governmentconsistentwithothernationalinfrastructure. e. Federalgovernmentorganizationsandagenciesrequiringcommercialspace accessandlogisticsserviceswillserveasanchorcustomersforspacefaring logisticsinfrastructureanditscommercialoperators. f. Internationalparticipationinthedevelopmentoftheinfrastructurewillbe undertakenwithintheobligations,constraints,andlimitationsimposedbyITAR oritssuccessorlegislation.Internationalparticipationwillbeindirect; undertakenthroughcompanytocompanypartnershipsandagreementsrather thanthroughgovernmenttogovernmentpartnershipsandagreements. g. Justasthefederalgovernmentprovidesannualappropriationsforthe constructionandoperationofnationalinfrastructure(e.g.,roads,bridges,

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airports,andwaterways),federalappropriationswillbeavailabletosupportthe constructionandoperationofnewspacefaringlogisticsinfrastructure. h. Inestablishingtheoperationalcapacityofthenewspacefaringlogistics infrastructuresystems,growthinAmericanspaceenterprisesusingthe infrastructurewillbeassumedandsufficientadditionalcapacitytoencourage thisgrowthwillbeincorporated.(Byanalogy,thismeansreplacinganagingtwo lanebridgewithanewfourlanebridge.) 2. Organization: a. AnewFederalGovernmentCorporationwillbeestablishedtoorganizeand implementthenewpublicprivatepartnership.Thiswillbereferredtoasthe SpacefaringLogisticsInfrastructureCommissionorSLIC. b. SLICwillbeprimarilyanexecutiveagencyoverseeingtheexecutionofcontracts todevelop,produce,field,andoperatethebasicelementsoftheinfrastructure. SLICwillestablishinternalmanagement,technical,operational,legal,and financialexpertisenecessaryfortheeffectiveexecutionofitsoversight responsibilitiesandfortheoperationoftheinfrastructure. c. SLICwillnotengageintechnologyresearchanddevelopment,spaceexploration, or,withtheexceptionofcertainsafetyandlegalresponsibilities,theoperationof theinfrastructure.SLICwillnotbuildoroperateSBSPsystems. d. SLICwillpartnerandcollaboratewithotherfederalandstategovernment agenciesandorganizationswhereandhowneededtobestexecuteits responsibilities. 3. Funding: a. Thespacefaringlogisticsinfrastructurewillprimarilybebuiltusinginfrastructure stylefunding. b. Aspartofitsfederalcharter,SLICwillbeabletoraisecapitalfundsthroughthe saleofgovernmentbackedsecuritiesandwillbeabletochargeuserfeesand leasepaymentsfortheuseoftheinfrastructureto,withtheassistanceofannual governmentappropriations,payofftheincurreddebtandoperatethe infrastructure. 4. Privateindustryparticipation: a. Withtheexceptionofspecificsafetyandlegalfunctions,privateindustrywillbe usedtodevelop,produce,construct,field,andoperatetheinfrastructure. b. Competitivecontractingandredundantinfrastructurecapabilities,neededfor assuredspaceaccessandnationalfreedomofspaceoperations,willbeusedto maximizeprivateindustryparticipationbysmall,medium,andlargecompanies. c. SLIC,throughcompetitivecontracting,willaimtomaximizethegrowthof AmericanspaceoperationalmasterywithinAmericanprivateindustrysoasto establishthefoundationoftechnicalexpertiseandindustrialcapabilityneededto fullyexploitthenewspacefaringlogisticsinfrastructureandpromotefuture spaceenterprises. d. Privateindustrywillbeencouragedtocommerciallyexploitthenewlyacquired technicalexpertiseandindustrialcapabilitiestobringnewspaceproductsand servicestothemarketplacetoreplaceandextendtheinitialspacefaringlogistics infrastructurecapabilities.

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e. Aspartofoperationalsupportcontractsforgovernmentownedfacilitiesand systems,privateindustrywillberequiredtoensurethataspecifiedpercentageof theoperationalpersonnelaremilitaryreservepersonneltoenable,should circumstanceswarrant,operationoftheinfrastructureunderdirectmilitary control. f. Aspartofparticipationinthedevelopmentandproductionofthespacefaring logisticsinfrastructuresystems,privateindustrywillberequiredtoparticipatein programsthatencourageandfosterthedevelopmentofthefutureAmerican aerospaceworkforce.

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APPENDIXEACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TheSBSPStudyGroupleaderswouldliketothankthefollowingcontributorsinadditiontomany othersfortheirinsights,intellectualefforts,andothercontributionswithoutwhichthisinterimreview reportwouldnothavebeenpossible(withapologiestothosewhohavebeeninadvertentlyomitted). ShubberAli ManagingPartner ExodusConsultingGroup KeyExpertise:BusinessAnalysisandStrategicPlanning DallasBienhoff Manager,InSpace&SurfaceSystems AdvancedSpaceExploration TheBoeingCompany KeyExpertise:Advancedspacesystemconceptsandarchitecturestudies HowardBloom Founder SpaceDevelopmentSteeringCommittee JRCaristoVerrill MacroProjectsInternational SpacePowerAssociation(aka,SunsatEnergyCouncil) KeyExpertise:InternationalRelationsandFinance PhilipK.Chapman,Sc.D., AirLaunchLLC KeyExpertise:Spacetechnology,geophysics,energy systems VictoriaCoverstone ProfessorandAssociateHead AerospaceEngineering UniversityofIllinoisatUrbanaChampaign KeyExpertise:Optimization,SpaceMissionDesign AndrewDagaAIAAIAA SpaceArchitectandResearcher UniversityofNorthDakota AIAADesignEngineeringTechnicalCommittee KeyExpertise:1)Spacearchitectureandconstruction operationsinspace,and2)lunarresourceutilization. HubertP.Davis VicePresident,Engineering&Development StarcraftBoosters,Inc. KeyExpertise:SpaceTransportation,LunarOperations MitaDesai ProgramManger DefenseAdvancedResearchProjectsAgency

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Mr.ArtDula AttorneyatLaw Expertise:SpaceLaw PaulEckert,Ph.D. International&CommercialStrategist BoeingIDSSpaceExploration PeterA.Garretson,LtCol,USAF Chief,FutureScienceandTechnologyExplorationBranch HQUSAFFutureConceptsandTransformation(AF/A8XC) KeyExpertise:AdvancedSystemsandConcepts RickHalbach SeniorManager&SpaceArchtitect LockheedMartinSpaceSystemsCompany KeyExpertise:spacearchitectures/systems,advancedconcepts,program development/implementationstrategy AmbassadorRogerG.Harrison,Ph.D. AllenandMalcolmLockheedandGlennL.MartinProfessor,UnitedStates AirForceAcademyEisenhowerCenterforSpaceandDefenseStudies Dr.JohanneHeald ResearchScientist CanadianSpaceAgency Dr.KlausHeiss Director,HighFrontierInc. KeyExpertise:LunarDevelopment,Economics TheodoreHilgeman,Ph.D. TechnicalConsultant,AdvancedConceptDevelopment NorthropGrummanCorporation MichaelJ.Hornitschek,Col,USAF HQUSAFRepresentativetoDoDEnergySecurityFutureFuelsIntegratedProductTeam KeyExpertise:DoDEnergyStrategy,InternationalPrograms Dr.MartyHoffert ProfessorEmeritusofPhysics AndreandBelleMeyerHallofPhysics FengHsu,Ph.D. Sr.TechnicalLead&RiskManager NASAGSFC,Code300 Expertise:Technical&TechnologyRiskAssessmentandManagement, KeySpace&Energydevelopment LyleM.Jenkins JenkinsEnterprises KeyExpertise:Spacesystems,weathermodification

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 Dr.NobuyukiKaya ViceDean,GraduateSchoolofEngineering KobeUniversity KeyExpertise:WirelessPowerTransmissionConcepts EdKiker SMDCOfficeoftheChiefScientist OperationalSupportOffice,ColoradoSprings JohnN.Kohut SeniorProgramManager SpaceApplications RaytheonMissileSystems KeyExpertise:WirelessPowerTransmission JeffKrukin ExecutiveDirector SpaceFrontierFoundation KeyExpertise:Space/Energy/EnvironmentVision(TheHumanSpaceConnection),marketing andcommunications,spaceeconomyconsulting JeffKueter President TheGeorgeC.MarshallInstitute GeoffreyA.LandisPh.D. Scientist,PowerandInspacePropulsionDivision NASAJohnGlennResearchCenter KeyExpertise:Solarenergy,advancedconcepts,physics,electricalengineering EvaJaneLark VicePresident BMONesbittBurns KeyExpertise:Businessplanningandfinancing.Investmentstrategies JohnC.Mankins CoFounderandChiefOperatingOfficer,ManagedEnergyTechnologiesLLC President,SpacePowerAssociation(aka,SunsatEnergyCouncil) KeyExpertise:AdvancedSpaceSystemsConcepts,SpaceSolarPower,TechnologyR&DManagement NevilleI.Marzwell,Ph.D. Adv.ConceptsTechnologyInnovations,Mgr NASAJetpropulsionLaboratory,Pasadena,California KeyExpertise:Robotics,HighEnergySystems,PowerBeaming,WirelessAvionics ThomasL.Matula,Ph.D. CEO T.L.MatulaandAssociates

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KeyExpertise:Businessstrategy,spacepolicyandeconomicdevelopment Dr.RobertMcConnell NationalRenewableEnergyLaboratory KeyExpertise:Solarenergycollectiontechnologies CharlesE.Miller President,SpacePolicyConsulting,Inc. PresidentandCEO,ConstellationServicesInternational,Inc. KeyExpertise:SpaceBusinessDevelopment,Financing,MarketingSpacePolicy JimMuncy Principal,SpacePolicy Anindependentspacepolicyconsultancy PetePaceley VicePresident,SPACEHABFlightServices KeyExpertise:Cargointegrationanddelivery JayPenn AerospaceCorporation DarelPreble President SpaceSolarPowerInstitute KeyExpertise:systemsanalysis;especiallyenergysystemsresearch,design,developmentandfield implementation CharlesF.Radley, AssociateFellowAIAA SpacecraftSystemsConsultant MicroAerospaceSolutions,Inc KeyExpertise:SpacecraftSystemsEngineering JosephA.Russo Owner TheStellaCADCorp. KeyExpertise:MechanicalDesignandengineeringservices EligarSadeh,Ph.D. AssociateDirector EisenhowerCenterforSpaceandDefenseStudies U.S.AirForceAcademy KeyExpertise:SpacePolicyandLaw RosannaSattler,Esq. PosternakBlankstein&LundLLP KeyExpertise:Attorneyspecializinginenvironmentallawandspacelaw PeterJ.Schubert,Ph.D. SeniorDirectorforSpace&EnergyResearch PackerEngineering,Inc.,Naperville,IL

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KeyExpertise:lunarISRU,propellantlesspropulsion,hydrogenstorage,nanotechnology,MEMS, materialsprocessinghightempandelectronic,intellectualpropertycreation. Dr.JaySkiles ResearchScientist NASAAmesResearchCenter JohnSmart President,AccelerationStudiesFoundation Professor,UniversityofAdvancingTechnology KeyExpertise:Futuresstudies,innovationstudies,technologytrends ArthurPaulSmith,Ph.D. CofounderAlternativeEnergyActionNetwork Otherorganizationsaffiliatedwith:AmericanPhysicalSociety(employer), BrookhavenNationalLaboratory(guestresearcher)NationalSpaceSociety( volunteer) KeyExpertise:Basicphysicsandmaterialsissues,economicanalysis MichaelV.CoyoteSmith,Col(s),USAF Chief,FutureConceptsDreamworks NationalSecuritySpaceOffice KeyExpertise:AdvancedSystemsandConcepts,SpacePowerTheory MikeSnead,P.E. Spacefaringtechnicalconsultant SpacefaringAmerica KeyExpertise:Neartermspacefaringtransportation&logistics RobinSnelson Advocate,SpaceFrontierFoundation SeniorAdvisor,SpaceStudiesInstitute KeyExpertise:Production,writingandconsulting,newmediaandold JohnK.Strickland,Jr. SeniorAnalyst/Programmer TexasDept.OfTransportationInformationSystemsDivision NationalSpaceSociety,SpaceFrontierFoundation,SpacePower Association KeyExpertise:EnergySystemsComparisons,EnergyControversies,AccesstoSpace,Generalist methods ColDavidSwanson InstituteforInformationTechnologyApplications RodTalabucon SystemsEngineer,NorthropGrummanCorp. KeyExpertise:GroundForcesConceptDevelopmentforWarfightersandC4ISR ResearchandDevelopment HonorablePeterB.Teets DistinguishedChair EisenhowerCenterforSpaceandDefenseStudies

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 SeamusTuohy Director,SpaceSystems TheCharlesStarkDraperLaboratory Dr.LeeSwensonValentine ExecutiveVicePresident TheSpaceStudiesInstitute KeyExpertise:spacemanufacturing,nonterrestrialmaterialsutilization,satellitesolarpower MarkI.Wallach Partner,Calfee,Halter&GriswoldLLP VicePresident&Director,NewSpace KeyExpertise:Lobbying&LegislativeRelationsonSBSPIssues AlanWasser Chairman TheSpaceSettlementInstitute KeyExpertise:harnessingspacepropertyrightsasadriver forprivatelyfundedspacedevelopment RobertS.Wegeng ChiefEngineer PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory KeyExpertise:ProductionofLogistics/TransportationandotherChemicalFuels WayneWhite,Esq. Manager,ContractsandPurchasing OceaneeringSpaceSystems KeyExpertise:SpaceLaw&Policy GeorgeWhitesides ExecutiveDirector NationalSpaceSociety DennisWingo CEO SkycorpIncorporated KeyExpertise:SpaceVehicleDesign

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