NASA ARC Internal Memo: The Great Space-Based Solar Power Debate

Subject: Reminder: The Great Space-Based Solar Power Debate, December 9, 2008
From: Centerwide Announcement
Date: Monday, December 8, 2008

TO: Resident Staff

FROM: Gary Martin, Director, New Ventures and Communications Directorate

SUBJECT: Reminder: The Great Space-Based Solar Power Debate, December 9, 2008

Ames employees are invited to attend a debate between Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden and National Space Society Executive Committee Chairman Gary Barnhard regarding the topic “Is there a business case for space-based solar power for terrestrial applications?” The debate will take place Tuesday, December 9, from 2 – 4 p.m., in the ballroom of the NASA Ames Conference Center, Building 3.

Gary Barnhard will argue for space-based solar power and Pete Worden will argue against. Each side will have 20 minutes to make their case, followed by two five-minute rebuttals per speaker, then questions from the floor.

Space-based solar power is a concept for energy generation and transmission that makes use of satellites with large solar arrays to generate energy and then beam that energy down to Earth using microwave or laser transmission.

This will be an exciting debate which will help you understand the pros and cons of this controversial topic. I hope to see you there.