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ISS Goes Solar

Posted by samzenpus on from the no-clouds-in-space dept.

SumDog writes "The international space station's newest power source, a set of solar wings, made its debut yesterday. The solar array is part of a new 17.5-ton space station segment that was connected to the orbiting outpost during a spacewalk Monday."

15 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. It's good to see ... by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... solar power finally working its way into our everyday lives.

  2. Wait... by kmac06 · · Score: 5, Funny

    So the one place where greenhouse gas emissions don't matter uses renewable energy? :P

    1. Re:Wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yeah! Why don't they just pull that sucker into the nearest Esso station...

      They even could get 3x Air Miles! :P

      D.

  3. Off Grid? by QuantumRiff · · Score: 4, Funny

    So when do they get enough Solar Panels to go "Off Grid"?

    <ducks>

    Thank you, I'll be here all week!

    --

    What are we going to do tonight Brain?
  4. Make them bigger.... by camperslo · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...a giant shade to reduce global warming

  5. What was it running on before? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Steam?

    1. Re:What was it running on before? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, a really long extension cord. Kept getting tangled on Everest though.

    2. Re:What was it running on before? by Patrik_AKA_RedX · · Score: 2, Funny

      Astronauts on the ISS have to train each day on those bicycles. Now you know why...

  6. What a waste by corifornia · · Score: 0, Funny

    Solar energy is a complete waste. What the hell are you going to do with the space station now at night?

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    crap.
    1. Re:What a waste by BobPaul · · Score: 2, Funny

      Just use the earth tether like they did before they got the solar panels, duh!

  7. Re: So what you're really trying to say is.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In Soviet Russian orbit, you stabilize gyroscopes!

  8. Re:Nuclear power and spacecraft by Barryke · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'd hugg it. Both. I love hugging bombs and babes.

    --
    Hivemind harvest in progress..
  9. Re:NASA = Dumb asses by Dunbal · · Score: 2, Funny

    lol yeah, at least on earth you can get a good 12 hours out of solar panels. But what can you do with just 45 minutes? :-)

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  10. Re:Well by Dunbal · · Score: 3, Funny

    Apparently they've become so efficient that the enormous distance to the Sun ceases to become a problem.

          Or at least that's what the manufacturer says. And if you had a $40 M contract you'd say the same. We'll only really find out in 30 years when the guy in charge of the probe suddenly goes "where the hell did my probe go?" one Wednesday morning.

          All your voltage are belong to us.

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  11. Tax by adrian727 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Did they pay fuel tax yet?