E. L. Morrison; William B. Grant; Evan J. Dutton

Abstract: The Department of Energy (DOE), along with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has been evaluating the Satellite Power System (SPS) as a source of baseline electrical power. The objective of the SPS program is to develop an initial understanding of the technical feasibility, the economic practicality, and the social and environmental acceptability of the SPS concept. One of the potential problems identified early in the concept analysis was the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of an SPS with existing and planned electromagnetic and electronic systems. A preliminary study has been conducted to show the EMe problems for an initial candidate receiving antenna (rectenna) site in the Mojave Desert of California. Amethodology has been developed and demonstrated for rectenna site EMC analysis and impact evaluation. For the particular site chosen, the majority of the severe impact interference problems concerned military operations. The systems degraded by SPS off-site microwave beam components were integral systems and subsystems of complex Development and Operational Test and Evaluation programs. Based on the operational system degradations near the Mojave site and the inability to establish mitigating strategies without unacceptable operational compromise, a second site north and east of the original was proposed.

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