{PDF} Advanced Power Sources for Space Missions National Research Council; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems; Energy Engineering Board; Committee on Advanced Space Based High Power Technologies; National Academy of Sciences,

“Star Wars”?as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) is dubbed?will require reliable sources of immense amounts of energy to power such advanced weapons as lasers and particle beams. Are such power sources available? This study says no, not yet?and points the way toward the kind of energy research and development that is needed to power SDI. Advanced Power Sources for Space Missions presents a comprehensive and objective view of SDI’s unprecedented power requirements and the opportunities we have to meet them in a cost-effective manner.