Space Based Solar Power Preview

[avishah2012]

what is its maintenance cost and what are its advantages and disadvantages and who is undertaking this project?

[Porter621]

just waiting for private companies to develop the "heavy lift" at an economical rate. think Branson (Virgin), space tourism is just an excuse, figuring out how to get this stuff up in space at the cheapest rate is the key. This is precisely why NASA is not producing or commanding any new spacecraft.

[promorlok]

Another global warming hoax propaganda. :Q

[DancingSpiderman]

It's a kite that flies in outer space, and it poops out smoke rings.

How nice.

[spboike]

We definately need to make this happen! We figured it our in the late 80's (@ GDSS)and now we have more efficient ways to create energy & transmit it down to our superconductive energy storage rings (like in Texas). NAS should be #1 Energy creator on Earth and sell to our Allies.

[gregruz45]

This is a great! I know that there are many problems that go along with idea of this kind but that does not take away from the fact that the amount of power reaching the Earth from the Sun is far beyond anything fossils fuels, nuclear, hydro and wind have to offer. Going to space is very expensive but already the US government is granting money to companies that can launch into space cheaper then nasa. Unlimited amounts of energy around the clock and it's clean!

[JasonDamisch]

If the cost of going into space ever goes down, then it will become practical.

[entyrion]

This would be astronomically expensive, and no government or governments will be willing to dedicate the required scale of funding for decades at least. Otherwise, it seems pretty cool, although I'd prefer not to live next door to the receiver station, just in case.

[quotoo]

Dreaming is fine, but this approach will not be economical for many decades.

[maa105]

this is like fast frying the planet

[PaRoDyViSiOn]

Why not break the array up ?

[PaRoDyViSiOn]

segmented as opposed to one huge array.

[FXThug]

@PaRoDyViSiOn There are models for segmented designs.

[Palmstream]

Gerry O'Neill wanted us to see the answer in 3 dimensions. It is the lunar-built solar power satellite that is the target product. Its freedom-expanding industrial activities and related cis-lunar infrastructure will change economics and civilization forever, once we understand that fear, rigid nationalism, and a closed 2-D world view are the enemies of our time.

[neotoy]

Solar power is the future, but this application is not economical.

[behram11]

yet...

[moonus111]

@neotoy not yet, but we're working on it. And politics is helping.