Orbit to surface beamed power for Mars bases expansion

A scenario is presented wherein the interplanetary supply vehicles for the expansion of the Mars bases are nuclear powered and electrically propelled. For the initial buildup phase, supply vehicles need not return to Earth but could be utilized as a one-way transport to a Mars synchronous orbit. Upon arriving at Mars, they would land their cargos with one-way descent vehicles. Base personnel would arrive at Mars in separate, faster vehicles. Once the vehicles are in Mars synchronous orbits, the nuclear power system would no longer be needed for propulsion and could be used as an orbital power station beaming its megawatts of power to locations on the surface of the planet. Placing a number of such power systems at strategically located synchronous orbit positions would permit coverage of the major portion of the Martian surface.<>