energy in space, and environmental issues including high voltage in low earth orbit, plasma issues and ionospheric considerations.

These are all precursors in development work which can capitalize upon the Shuttle and pave the way toward the development of the Power Technology Module operations.

A further organizational consideration is to what extent, if any, international participation should be encouraged. The Power Technology Module offers an additional avenue for cooperation in that the pressurized container for the PTM equipment could be a Spacelab module. Internal equipment could also be provided by the European community as appropriate.

CONDITIONS FOR STARTING MAJOR SPS DEVELOPMENT IN 1985

The results of long range programs do not provide the early gratification which shorter range projects frequently do. On the other hand, if events continue along their present path, by 1985 we will face a strong public concern for the rapid depletion of our oil and gas resources, a concern for the expanding environmental pollution caused by our increasing reliance on coal and a distaste for our forced dependence on foreign sources to meet our basic energy needs. It is probable, moreover, that there will not be a revolutionary breakthrough

in the development of other "inexhaustible" electrical energy

sources.

They also will continue to show their current promise

as a year 2000+ solution.

Given these conditions, however, it would still not be prudent to start a broad commitment in 1985 to Solar Power Satellite development unless believable experimental answers have been provided to the key Solar Power Satellite viability issues by that time period. These key issues which should be

resolved are:

Demonstration of a high production rate solar power
conversion system

Development of large space structure fabrication,
assembly and control technology

• Microwave power transmission demonstration

• Environmental impact appraisal

These issues are addressed as shown in Figure 5 in the integrated Ground, Shuttle Sortie Flight and Power Technology Module program which have been outlined. It is only by

providing this experimental data that a convinced government could then direct that the next major step in solar power technology be taken.

RECOMMENDATIONS

My recommendations are that we take the following five

steps:

Launch the Power Technology Module in 1984. Use it
as a permanent and evolving space facility. Orbiter
revisits will be made for experimentation and updating
of the system. Incorporate provisions in the PTM for

a Shuttle/Spacelab support mission to extend the
effectiveness of the Shuttle On-orbit. This system
would cost about $224M including its launch cost.

Plan and implement a series of Shuttle sortie missions
to prepare for the Power Technology Module era. This
is estimated to be about 5 flights in the 1980 to
1983 time period costing about $128M including the
launch costs.

Establish an $108M Solar Power Satellite Ground
Technology Program for 1978 through 1982 time period.
Place an experimental emphasis on this work as a
precursor to the Shuttle sortie mission activity.

Establish clear lines of responsibility for the
appropriate governmental agencies. Assign NASA
the task of preparing for a potentially sound
technology decision point in 1985 for development
of the Solar Power Satellite system. Assign the
Department of Energy the responsibility for

implementing the ground, environmental and

comparative systems work necessary to make a good

technical evaluation of this system at that time
period.

Developing the PTM is a very specific recommendation for the next step in our country's space program and certainly is not intended to be totally comprehensive of all that should be done in space. Solar Power Satellite Technology Development

is a program which I believe will provide fresh impetus and enthusiasm within the space community. We will be using the Shuttle and space technology to perform a mission of great value to all of us here on Earth. This is my recommendation for the next step in our country's space program Power Satellite Technology program.

the Solar