What will halt this cost trend? Historically, cartels have been broken in two ways: war or technological innovation (new or better products are produced by corporations outside of the cartel and break the cartel by competition). With this in mind, is there a solution on the horizon? It would appear that the price to us of these imported fossil fuels can continue to climb almost indefinitely, until at some future point either the fuels are consumed, we undergo an economic breakdown, or some other undesirable event (such as war) occurs.

Ours is not the first energy crisis; they have occurred before. In England in the 16th century wood had been used to such an extent that it could no longer provide the energy basis for the operation of the economy. Coal was the replacement. When coal first began to be used in that time period it was considered a very unsatisfactory solution and was adopted reluctantly. However, within 100 years, the use of coal provided the basis for the industrial revolution that helped England achieve a dominant position in the World. Coal remained king until early in the 20th century when, with the lead of the United States, oil and natural gas (rather convenient energy forms) took over and the United States established a superior economic position. Now, as all fossil fuels become less abundant, what should be the course not only for the United States but for the world? Today's crisis may become similar to war in its impact. Decisions made now could affect the economic health of our nation almost as major strategy decisions impact the future of a nation during war. Conservation has been proposed as a solution. However, it is probably no more than a stop-gap. Conservation can do no more than extend the life of depletable energy sources.

What is needed is a true energy solution, as described in Table I. The primary objective of this solution is reestablishment of a sound national economy. Required characteristics of such a solution are also given. Hydroelectric power might be such a solution since it is nondepletable, is available within the United States, etc., but it fails on the third point, sufficiency. Much of the elevated water available for hydropower within the United States is currently in use. So let's consider some other source or sources with the required characteristics.

What is that source to be? Several alternatives have been under study and development within the United States. Table 2 lists some of these and critical characteristics of each. This paper concerns itself with the last of these energy sources-space solar power.

Figure 3 illustrates the principle of space power satellites. The satellites would be located in geosynchronous orbit some 22,000 miles above the Earth. In this orbit they remain in one position over the equator and provide direct line-of-sight transmission of energy by radio beam to receivers on the Earth. In this orbit the satellites are nearly constantly illuminated (over 99% of the time). The source of this energy is solar rays converted to electricity by an array of solar cells. The satellites are rather large, with areas of approximately 35 sq mi. Their output is, however, proportionate to the size in that approximately 10 million kilowatts of power are provided by each. The satellite shown is equipped with two transmitters and serves two Earth receiving sites (5 million kilowatts per site). Satellite sizes down to approximately 2.5 million kilowatts per receiver appear economically practical. The constancy of output of the ground receivers, without the effects of night and weather, provides baseload electrical power.

As shown in Figure 4, a number of organizations, under the lead of the Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, have studied the subject of solar power satellites for approximately 8 years. This activity has been scattered across the United States and has involved corporations of various types. Until approximately 1973 these studies were performed at a relatively low level and considered solar power satellite concepts appropriate for use in the 21st century; very high technology levels were to be utilized. Such satellites would also have a very high performance and showed the promise of producing very low cost electrical energy, perhaps only 2 cents per kilowatt hour. Recent studies indicated, however, that advanced technology is not required. Solar power satellite design concepts drawing on near term technology have the promise of producing electrical energy at approximately 4 cents per kilowatt hour by the early 1990's, a very attractive and competitive price.

RESULT: EIGHT YEARS OF STUDY HAS PROVIDED INDICATION OF SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS FROM
POWER SATELLITE INTRODUCTION

Because of the utilization of this near term technology it appears that SPS (Solar Power Satellites) will not require new science; instead SPS is a large engineering job and technological breakthroughs are not required.

Table 3 summarizes the characteristics of solar power satellites that would allow them to serve as a national energy solution. These seven characteristics will be addressed one by one.

Figure 5 symbolizes ways in which solar power satellites would promote national economic stability. Today, we send our dollars overseas to oil owners who return to us oil which we burn to obtain only energy. With solar power satellites these dollars would stay in the United States, providing jobs for our people in addition to providing energy and creating lasting material wealth.