Can power from space compete?

This report summarizes the findings of a report entitled Can Power from Spa ce Compete? produced for NASA by Resources for the Future (RFF). In conside ring how well satellite solar power (SSP) is likely to compete in the marke t for electricity from the present to 2020, it finds that neither perceived shortages of fossil fuel nor climate change factors are likely to be major issues in this time frame. Moreover, the high costs of SSP and possible co ncerns over public health and national security will continue to constrain its development. This does not mean, however,that R&D into the subject shou ld cease; it may well have a future in the short term when applied to non-t errestrial systems. The full report is available at http://www.rff.org. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.