Legal constituencies and economic efficiencies of space solar power (SSP): a joint japanese and american perspective

摘要

Recent action in California in the U.S.A. vividly illustrates that lack of appreciation by civil actors of the economics of energy companies. This study seeks to act as future roadmap for legal actors to obtain clarity on economic issues affecting a potential future energy source, namely Space Solar Power (SSP). Currently envisioned systems SSP systems would deliver gigawatts of power to terrestrial power grids from space, lasting over 20 years and having orbital masses on the order of 40 International Space Stations. The interaction of legal challenges and economic justifications is examined for any group of public and private entities (fully domestic commercial ventures, international conglomerates, international civil organizations, etc) that seek to build and/or operate an SSP system. In April of 2000, the Ministry of Economics and Industry (MITI) of Japan and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States started a joint feasibility study on Space Solar Power. Due to the current climate of limited public funding for such large-scale space projects, governments would prefer more industry involvement (technically and more important financially) in SSP. Conceptual case studies are developed of innovative future government and private sector partnerships for SSP. Sensitivities are performed on proposed legal and economic architectures.