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Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program Conducted by the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA from 1978 to 1981, this study remains the largest to date. The study was limited to an Earth-launched scenario. See press briefing about this study for a quick summary. Throughout 2008, we will be slowly adding documents to this section as we can get them digitized. If you can help us provide additional contractor documents, please contact us.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REPORTS

• Reference System Report: Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program Reference System Report. DOE/ER-0023, October 1978. 322 pages. [PDF 13.1 MB]
• Final Proceedings: Final Proceedings of the Solar Power Satellite Program Review, Conf-800491, July 1980. 696 pages. [Table of Contents] [PDF 56 MB]
• Program Plan: Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program July 1977 - August 1980. DOE/ET-0034, February 1978. 62 pages. [PDF 5.1 MB]
• Program Summary: Satellite Power System (SPS) Program Summary. DOE/ER-0022, December 1978, 116 pages. [PDF 6.6 MB]
• Findings: Program Assessment Report Statement of Findings. Satellite Power Systems Concept Development and Evaluation Program. DOE/ER-0085, November 1980. 75 pages. [PDF 6.8 MB]
• Bibliography: A Bibliography for the Satellite Power System (SPS) Concept Development and Evaluation Program. DOE/ER-0098, April 1981. 251 pages (2 entries per page). [PDF 12.7 MB]
• Questions and Answers: Some Questions and Answers About the Satellite Power System (SPS). DOE/ER-0049/1, January 1980. 47 pages. [PDF 2.4 MB]
• Financial/Management Scenarios: Satellite Power System (SPS) Financial/Management Scenarios. Prepared by J. Peter Vajk. HCP/R-4024-03, October 1978. 69 pages. [PDF 3.7 MB]
• Financial/Management Scenarios: Satellite Power System (SPS) Financial/Management Scenarios. Prepared by Herbert E. Kierolff. HCP/R-4024-13, October 1978. 66 pages. [PDF 2.7 MB]
• Economic and Demographic Issues: Economic and Demographic Issues Related to Deployment of the Satellite Power System (SPS). ANL/EES-TM-23, October 1978. 71 pages. [PDF 3.5 MB]
• Resource Requirements: Satellite Power System (SPS) Resource Requirements (Critical Materials, Energy, and Land). HCP/R-4024-02, October 1978. 127 pages. [PDF 7.3 MB]
• Rectenna Sites: Satellite Power System (SPS) State and Local Regulations as Applied to Satellite Power System Microwave Receiving Antenna Facilities. HCP/R-4024-05, October 1978. 92 pages. [PDF 4.9 MB]
• Rectenna Sites: Satellite Power System (SPS) Mapping of Exclusion Areas For Rectenna Sites. HCP-R-4024-10, October 1978. 117 pages. [PDF 9.6 MB]
• Space Transportation Cost Analysis: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Space Transportation Cost Analysis and Evaluation. DOE/ER-0086, November 1980. 142 pages. [PDF 5.3 MB]
• Orbit Maintenance: Design Requirements for Orbit Maintenance of SPS Elements. DOE/ER-0087, November 1980. 71 pages. [PDF 2.5 MB]
• Laser Transmission: Potential of Laser for SPS Power Transmission. HCP/R-4024-07, October 1978. 112 pages. [PDF 4.4 MB]
• Emerging Technologies: Survey and Documentation of Emerging Technologies for the Satellite Power System (SPS). Prepared by Peter E. Glaser and Philip K. Chapman. DOE/ER-0097, April 1981. 132 pages. [PDF 5.6 MB]
• International Agreements: Satellite Power System (SPS) International Agreements. Prepared by Carl Q. Christol. HCP-R-4024-08, October 1978. 283 pages. [PDF 10.4 MB]
• International Agreements: Satellite Power System (SPS) International Agreements. Prepared by Stephen Grove. HCP/R-4024-12, October 1978. 86 pages. [PDF 3.7 MB]
• Military Implications: On the Military Implications of a Satellite Power System, J. Peter Vajk, Robert Salkeld. December 1980. 182 pages. [PDF 16.6 MB]
• Military Implications: Satellite Power System (SPS) Military Implications. Prepared by Michael J. Ozeroff. HCP/R-4024-01, October 1978. 46 pages. [PDF 1.6 MB]
• Centralization/Decentralization: Satellite Power System (SPS) Centralization/Decentralization. HCP/R-4024-09, October 1978. 67 pages. [PDF 2.5 MB]
• Comparative Assessment: A Methodology for the Comparative Assessment of the Satellite Power System (SPS) and Alternative Technologies. DOE/ER-0051, January 1980. 75 pages. [PDF 3.5 MB]
• Comparative Assessment: Selection of Alternative Central-Station Technologies for the Satellite Power System (SPS) Comparative Assessment. DOE/ER-0052, April 1980. 17 pages. [PDF 0.6 MB]
• Comparative Assessment - Land Use: Preliminary Comparative Assessment of Land Use for the Satellite Power System (SPS) and Alternative Electric Energy Technologies. DOE/ER-0054, April 1980. 25 pages. [PDF 1.2 MB]
• Comparative Assessment - Climate and Energy: Climate and Energy: A Comparative Assessment of the Satellite Power System (SPS) and Alternative Energy Technologies. DOE/ER-0050, January 1980. 68 pages. [PDF 2.0 MB]
• Health and Safety: Health and Safety: Preliminary Comparative Assessment of the SPS and Other Energy Alternatives. DOE/ER-0053, April 1980. 125 pages. [PDF 4.3 MB]
• Health and Safety: Assessment of Zero Gravity Effects on Space Worker Health and Safety. DOE/ER/10025-T1, November 1980. 125 pages. [PDF 4.6 MB]
• Environmental Assessment: Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the Satellite Power System (SPS). Volume 1: Executive Summary. DOE/ER-0021/1, October 1978. 48 pages. [PDF 1.7 MB]
• Environmental Assessment: Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the Satellite Power System (SPS). Volume 2: Detailed Assessment. DOE/ER-0021/2, October 1978. 174 pages [PDF 6.3 MB]
• Environmental Assessment: Environmental Assessment for the Satellite Power System (SPS) Concept Development and Evaluation Program (CDEP). DOE/ER-0069, August 1980. 125 pages [PDF 8.9 MB]
• Environmental Assessment: Environmental Assessment for the Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program - Atmospheric Effects. DOE/ER-0090, November 1980. 125 pages [PDF 9.4 MB]
• Environmental Assessment: Environmental Assessment for the Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program - Nonmicrowave Health and Ecological Effects. DOE/ER-0089, November 1980. 87 pages. [PDF 5.5 MB]
• Environmental Assessment: Ionospheric Effects of Rocket Exhaust Products (HEAO-C, Skylab, and SPS-HLLV). DOE/ER-0082. October 1980. 34 pages. [PDF 2.6 MB]
• Environmental Effects: Satellite Power System (SPS) Brightness Due to Reflected Sunlight. DOE/ER-0081, October 1980. 76 pages. [PDF 2.6 MB]
• Public Acceptance: Satellite Power System (SPS) Public Acceptance. HCP/R-4024-04, October 1978. 85 pages. [PDF 4.7 MB]
• Public Outreach: Satellite Power System (SPS) Public Outreach Experiment. DOE/ER-10041-T11, December 1980. 67 pages. [PDF 3.9 MB]
• Student Participation: Satellite Power System (SPS) Student Participation. HCP/R-4024-06, October 1978. 97 pages. [PDF 4.1 MB]

1978 Overview Paper:

• "Power from Space: A New Opportunity", by Hubert P. Davis, Chief, Transportation System Office, Johnson Space Center. Paper presented at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers 71st Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, November 13, 1978, 20 pages [PDF 3.1 MB]

NASA CONTRACTOR REPORTS and NASA TECHNICAL MEMORANDA

Rockwell March 1981 Report:

• Executive Summary: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D), Volume 1: Executive Summary. NASA Contractor Report 3392, Rockwell International, March 1981, 51 pages. [PDF 3.9 MB]
• Transportation Analysis: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D), Volume 3: Transportation Analysis. NASA Contractor Report 3394, Rockwell International, March 1981, 89 pages. [PDF 5.8 MB]
• Operations Analysis: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D), Volume 4: Operations Analysis. NASA Contractor Report 3395, Rockwell International, March 1981, 67 pages. [PDF 4.5 MB]
• Systems Engineering: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D), Volume 5: Systems Engineering/Integration Research and Technology. NASA Contractor Report 3396, Rockwell International, March 1981, 218 pages. [PDF 10.8 MB]
• Cost and Programmatics: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D), Volume 6, Part 1: Cost and Programmatics. NASA Contractor Report 3397, Rockwell International, March 1981, 84 pages. [PDF 4.8 MB]
• Requirements Databook: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D), Volume 7, System/Subsystem Requirements Databook. NASA Contractor Report 3399, Rockwell International, March 1981, 268 pages. [PDF 15.2 MB]

Rockwell September 1980 Report:

• Executive Summary: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study, Volume 1: Executive Summary. NASA Contractor Report 3317, Rockwell International, September 1980, 70 pages. [PDF 4.6 MB]
• System Engineering: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study, Volume 2, Part 1: System Engineering. NASA Contractor Report 3318, Rockwell International, September 1980, 262 pages. [PDF 14.4 MB]
• Costs and Programmatics: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study, Volume 2, Part 2: System Engineering. NASA Contractor Report 3319, Rockwell International, September 1980, 440 pages. [PDF 21.0 MB]
• Experimental Verification Definition: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study, Volume 3, Experimental Verification Definition. NASA Contractor Report 3320, Rockwell International, September 1980, 150 pages. [PDF 5.8 MB]
• Transportation Analysis: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study, Volume 4, Transportation Analysis. NASA Contractor Report 3321, Rockwell International, September 1980, 276 pages. [PDF 9.5 MB]
• In-Depth Element Investigation: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study, Volume 6, In-Depth Element Investigation. NASA Contractor Report 3323, Rockwell International, September 1980, 101 pages. [PDF 5.0 MB]
• Requirements Data Book: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study, Volume 7, System/Subsystem Requirements Data Book. NASA Contractor Report 3324, Rockwell International, September 1980, 123 pages. [PDF 15.2 MB]

Rockwell March 1979 Report:

• Executive Summary: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit C), Volume 1, Executive Summary. Rockwell International, March 1979, 183 pages. [PDF 3.5 MB]
• Special Emphasis Studies: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit C), Volume 5, Special Emphasis Studies. Rockwell International, March 1979, 253 pages. [PDF 12.2 MB]

Other Contractor Reports:

• Electrostatic Protection of the SPS: Electrostatic Protection of the Solar Power Satellite and the Rectenna, Part 1: Protection of the Solar Power Satellite. NASA Contractor Report 3344, Rice University, September 1980, 35 pages. [PDF 1.7 MB]
• Lightning Protection of the Rectenna: Electrostatic Protection of the Solar Power Satellite and the Rectenna, Part 2: Lightning Protection of the Rectenna. NASA Contractor Report 3345, Rice University, September 1980, 125 pages. [PDF 6.2 MB]
• Laser Studies 1: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Laser Studies Volume 1: Laser Environmental Impact Study. NASA Contractor Report 3346, Rockwell International, November 1980, 87 pages. [PDF 5.9 MB]
• Laser Studies 2: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Laser Studies Volume 2: Meteorological Effects on Laser Beam Propagation and Direct Solar Pumped Lasers for the SPS. NASA Contractor Report 3347, Rockwell International, November 1980, 143 pages. [PDF 6.6 MB]
• Salvage and Disposal: Satellite Power System Salvage and Disposal Alternatives. NASA Contractor Report 3349, November 1980, 89 pages. [PDF 5.5 MB]
• Antenna Pointing Control: Satellite Power System (SPS) Antenna Pointing Control. NASA Contractor Report 3350, University of Tennessee, November 1980, 86 pages. [PDF 3.4 MB]
• Solid State Amplifier: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D), Solid State Amplifier Investigation, Rockwell International, October 1980, 118 pages. [PDF 3.6 MB]
• Flight Test Article: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) LSST Systems Analysis and Integration Task for Flight Test Article. NASA Contractor Report 3375, Rockwell International, February 1981, 183 pages. [PDF 7.2 MB]
• Magnetron Tube Assessment: Satellite Power System (SPS) Magnetron Tube Assessment Study. NASA Contractor Report 3383, William C. Brown, Raytheon Company, February 1981, 190 pages. [PDF 8.8 MB]
• Automatic Phase Control: Automatic Phase Control in Solar Power Satellite Systems, LinCom Corporation, February 1978, 131 pages. [PDF 4.3 MB]

NASA Technical Memoranda and Conference Publications:

• Power Transmission and Reception: Solar Power Satellite Microwave Power Transmission and Reception, NASA Conference Publication 2141, 1980, 386 pages. [PDF 13.8 MB]
• Power Transmission and Reception: Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program: Power Transmission and Reception Technical Summary and Assessment. NASA Reference Publication 1076, July 1981. 281 pages. [PDF 18.1 MB]
• Cost Estimate: Solar Power Satellite Cost Estimate, NASA Technical Memorandum 58231, January 1981, 168 pages. [PDF 4.4 MB]
• System Sizing Tradeoffs: Solar Power Satellite System Sizing Tradeoffs, NASA Technical Paper 1804, February 1981, 45 pages. [PDF 1.4 MB]
• Space Transportation: Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program: Space Transportation. NASA Technical Memorandum 58238, November 1981. 260 pages. [PDF 12.0 MB]