Potential interest in Europe in an SPS development

The potential contribution that an SPS (solar power satellite) could make to the European energy scenario, the economic impact of the SPS as an indigenous European energy source, and the potential importance of the SPS as a technology driver is discussed. A European network of forty solar power satellites could supply electrical energy equal to Europe's present electrical energy production and significantly reduce Europe's dependence on energy imports and the associated transfer of wealth. Additionally, the development of a power satellite technology, if started by the United States, can be expected to lead to a large advancement in key areas, e.g., space industrialization, photovoltaic energy conversion and wireless transmission of energy, and Europe, if it were not to participate, would be left behind in the development and exploitation of many important technologies. 10 references.