[en] Central-station electric power for spacecraft has been explored conceptually for over two decades as a solution to the economic delivery of high power levels over long periods of time. However, all spacecraft designs to date have been based on the use of onboard supplies-solar, nuclear, and chemical-because the total space power demand has not yet reached the levels at which dedicated space power depots would be economically viable. Nevertheless, the growth in projected power demand for the next several decades could warrant the use of such dedicated space-based powerplants. This paper examines and assesses the various technological options for space power generation and transmission and the system considerations associated with the space-based central-power-station concept. (author)