Policy Debate 2011-2012 Resolution

Thanks for accepting, lannan13 This will be in policy debate format so you won't see analytics in the 1st constructive. Observation 1: The United States lack a commitment to space-based solar power The technology exists and space-based solar power technologies are ready for development. Critics base their argument on flawed data and designs. Space Solar Power Workshop 11 (Silent Power, pg. 41-42, JT) Studies of Space Solar Power have consistently identified a half dozen key technologies that separate SSP from near term commercial feasibility. While all these key technologies are relatively mature, such as space transportation and photovoltaics, they have not been focused into hardware ready and able to support the construction and operation of an SSP system. We are ready to initiate design and construction of a demonstration SSP satellite. Not everyone is familiar with these technologies for SSP market development, however. Specifically, we will begin by noting that space transportation costs must be much lower in order to enable the construction of an SSPS. Fortunately, this is not difficult, technically; it is a market design choice that has not been available,...yet. Government involvement is necessary and other power sources are inadequate. U.S. Chamber of Commerce 8 (http://www.nss.org...) Potential Benefits: SBSP is unusual among renewable energy options because it might satisfies all four of the following criteria critical to investment decisions: environmental cleanliness, sustainability of supply, flexibility of location, and capacity to generate continuous rather than intermittent power. The cost of SBSP-generated electricity would initially be greater than that provided by fossil fuel or nuclear power. SBSP might offer an attractive approach, for satisfying today's needs but also for meeting tomorrow's much greater requirements. We cannot accurately predict environmental and other consequences of harvesting energy from natural Earthbound sources (e.g., wind, ocean current, geothermal, bio fuels), when these methods are scaled up to considerably higher levels. SBSP might help create new economic opportunities through resultant technology advances in space launch, space utilization, and technological spin-offs. Advantage One: Energy Scenario 1: Resource Wars The necessary transition away from terrestrial energy's limits is a matter of war and peace Dinerman 8 (The Space Review, September 15, http://www.thespacereview.com...) The world can no longer afford to depend upon easily disrupted pipelines for critical energy supplies. Removing this kind of infrastructure from its central role in the world's energy economy would eliminate one of the most dangerous motivations for war that we may face in the 21st century. a new age of resource shortages;or even if these shortages are simply widely-held illusions;nations will naturally try their best to ensure access to the stuff they need to survive. The need for a wholly new kind of world energy infrastructure is not just an issue involving economics or conservation, but of war and peace. And the escalation risks destroying civilization as we know it Bearden 2k (www.cheniere.org/techpapers/Unnecessary%20Energy%20Crisis.doc) MH International Strategic Threat Aspects History bears out that desperate nations take desperate actions. Prior to the final economic collapse, the stress on nations will have increased the intensity and number of their conflicts, to the point where the arsenals of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) now possessed by some 25 nations, are almost certain to be released. The resulting great Armageddon will destroy civilization as we know it, and perhaps most of the biosphere. Scenario Two - Warming Continued reliance on fossil fuel leads to extinction Tickell 8 (Oliver, Environmental Researcher, The Guardian, August 11, http://www.guardian.co.uk..., JMB, accessed 6-23-11) Global warming would mean "the end of living and the beginning of survival" for humankind. Billions would undoubtedly die. SPS solves global warming Space Solar Power Workshop 11 (Georgia Institute of Technology, Silent Power, pg. 41-42, JT) Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide may be rising faster than at any time in Earth's history. We can generate virtually unlimited clean baseload energy using Space Solar Power. Advantage Two: Economy I/L: Aerospace stimulus The industry is crucial to jobs and manufacturing Bugos 10 (Glenn E., February 1, http://eh.net... YS) The aerospace industry ranks among the world's largest manufacturing industries. aerospace has a vast array of component technologies, evoked new forms of production, and Aerospace technology permeates many other industries And the failure to renew investment in aerospace industries threatens US national interests Wynne and Moseley(http://digitalcommons.unl.edu..., LH) America's aerospace industrial base is vital. The aerospace sector gave birth to the technologies and minds that have made the information age a reality. This vital sector represents a single point vulnerability for our national defense. I/L: Fuel Market Instability Warld et al 9 fossil fuel markets have a major impact on our national economy, which in turn affects national security. wild swings now common in the world's fossil fuel markets constrict the economy in the short-term, and undermine strategic planning in the long-term.It also makes it more difficult for companies to commit to the long-term investments needed to develop and deploy new energy technologies and upgrade major infrastructure. Leads to crisis, then war Mead 9 (http://www.tnr.com...) Crisis can also strengthen the hand of religious extremists, populist radicals, or authoritarian traditionalists. If financial crises have been a normal part of life so has war. Bad economic times breed wars, as shown in the Great Depression. Sub-Molniya Orbit resolves all feasibility issues. Jones 10 A class of HEO proposed for use here is the Sub-Molniya orbit. This concept negates the requirement for the development of a large astronaut construction force and new heavy-lift launch vehicles that have inhibited the economic and technical viability of previous SBSP designs. SPS creates enough energy to end dependence on the fossil fuel industry. Mankins 8(http://www.nss.org...) The platform constantly gathers more than 5,000 megawatts of sunlight and delivers more than 2,000 megawatts of clean, near-zero carbon electrical power to customersanywhere within an area the size of a continent. space solar power is an inexhaustible solution and the technologies now exist to make it a reality. scientists agree that the use of fossil fuels is profoundly altering local environments and the climate of the world. Capturing solar power from space-based platforms can solve this crisis Fresnal lenses multiply the amount of solar energy received by 2000. Jones 10 The use of Fresnel lenses are proposed to massively concentrate solar energy to intensities of 2000 suns or more onto the SPS's photovoltaic cells. Concentrating sunlight can significantly increase the energy exchange per surface area on photovoltaic panels and solar collectors compared with normal, incident sunlight. Demonstrating SPS leads to R&D and innovation; launch costs go down and the market booms. Globus et al 11 The total global energy market is measured in trillions of dollars per year. If a small, relatively inexpensive, SSP PowerSat for niche markets can be proﬁtable, then experience will be gained, more PowerSats will be built, and will drive down cost