DOD hopes to beam down power from space
Yours truly was a co-contributor to this report
published 10/10/07.
http://spacesolarpower.wordpress.com/20 ... published/
From the Foreword of the report itself:
Preventing resource conflicts in the face
of increasing global populations and demands in
the 21st century is a high priority for the Department
of Defense. All solution options to these challenges
should be explored, including opportunities from
space.
In March 2007, the National Security
Space Office’s Advanced Concepts Office presented
the idea of space‐based solar power (SBSP) as a
potential grand opportunity to address not only
energy security, but environmental, economic, intellectual,
and space security as well. First proposed in the
late 1960’s, the concept was last explored in the
NASA’s 1997 “Fresh Look” Study. In the decade since
this last study, advances in technology and new
challenges to security have warranted a current
exploration of the strategic implications of SBSP.
For these reasons, my office sponsored a no‐cost
Phase 0 Architecture Feasibility Study of SBSP during
the Spring and Summer of 2007.
Unlike traditional
contracted architecture studies, the attached report
was compiled through an innovative and collaborative
approach that relied heavily upon voluntary internet
discussions by more than 170 academic, scientific,
technical, legal, and business experts around the
world. I applaud the high quality of work accomplished
by the team leaders and all participants who contributed
in the last six months. I encourage them to continue
their work in earnest as they move beyond this interim
report and seek to answer the question of whether
SBSP can be developed and deployed within the first
half of this century to provide affordable, clean,
safe, reliable, sustainable and expandable energy
for mankind.
This interim assessment contains
significant initial findings and recommendations
that should provide pause and consideration for
national and international policy makers, business
leaders, and citizens alike. It appears that technological
challenges are closing rapidly and the business
case for creating SBSP is improving with each passing
year. Still absent, however, is an appropriate catalyst
to stimulate the various interested parties toward
actually developing a SBSP capability. I encourage
all to read this report and consider the opportunities
that SBSP presents as part of a national and international
debate for action on how best to preserve security
for all.
//signed 9 Oct 07//
JOSEPH
D. ROUGE, SES
Acting Director, National Security
Space Office