• DEPLOYED IN SINGLE LAUNCH • FREE FLIER BETWEEN ORBITER DOCKINGS CMG STABILIZATION & CONTROL • STAB & CONTROL OF ORBITER WHEN DOCKED • INCREASES ORBITER STAY TIME FROM 7 DAYS TO 30 DAYS • WEIGHT = 10,584 Kg • IOC, 1984 • BEAM BUILDER CONSTRUCTS SOLAR Fig. 3 Power Technology Module Features COMPONENT DEVELOPMENT operational. The structure which supports the arrays has been fabricated by a "Beam Builder" located in the orbiter. The Beam Builder fabricates the light open truss structure from long spools of material while the Shuttle is in orbit and it is then assembled using the Remote Manipulator System as a construction aid. After solar power experimentation is completed or between experimental programs, the PTM can be docked to the Orbiter and provide the power, heat dissipation and control support to extend Shuttle time on orbit. This wil1 significantly enhance the capability of the Shuttle for performing space industrialization, research and other on-orbit operations. Portions of the PTM such as solar array and radiator panels could be used initially by the Shuttle to extend its on-orbit capability with the panels being returned to earth with the Shuttle. In time the PTM could evolve into the permanent configuration shown in Figure 3. This concept could further evolve providing greatly expanded capability in orbit when required. ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTION IS NEEDED NOW The Department of Energy and NASA both share the responsibility for development of SPS technology under present agreements as I understand them. But the clear direction for them to get on about that job is lacking for many reasons. There are certainly those who feel that other long range energy sources such as nuclear fusion reactors need emphasis and there are those who feel that short term goals such as developing and exploiting our coal resources need immediate emphasis. I agree with these viewpoints but I feel that in addition we must also do that technology work to establish the attractiveness of the Solar Power Satellite concept until we have the hard evidence that our energy needs, our country's and the world's, will really be satisfied by another inexhaustible energy alternative. We can't afford to keep all eggs in one basket. NASA should be directed to do that work in which it is the leader develop the technology for the space portions of the Solar Power Satellite. The Department of Energy should provide overall comparison of this system with alternatives and participate in the design interface definition for the ground link to the electrical power grid. A program which covers the elements which I have outlined before, namely, Solar Power Satellite ground technology development, Shuttle Sortie development flights and finally, the Power Technology Module development, its production and launch are shown on Figure 4 in a recommended funding chart. Many of the elements which are indicated in this program have been considered in various NASA and DoE programs but the efforts are scattered and weakly supported. A coordinated and vigorous program is required, aimed at the short term key results provided by the 1984 PTM facility. The Solar Power Satellite ground program includes solar energy conversion techniques development, large space structure fabrication and assembly development, microwave power transmission and ground electrical grid interface study, materials and environmental test, determination of environmental impact/ionospheric effects, development program planning/Shuttle payload definition and operational prototype systems studies. Shuttle sortie flights should address solar conversion issues including the solar conversion techniques and automated manufacturing techniques, large space structure fabrication assembly and control issues, handling of thin films and assembly of the ultra large structure, microwave power transmission issues, the conversion from electrical energy to microwave energy followed by wave front control for the propagation of |