Not to mention, this seems to be a complete waste of resources. I'd wager that at least as much land (if not more) will need to be dedicated to the antenna array as a 400MW (put in twice the power to make up for day-only operations) solar concentrator plant if they want any sort of chance of capturing all of the beam for conversion.
Yes, but also consider that this receiver is the ground based overhead we would need. If one solar power sat proves successful, all we have to do is launch more. They can all use the same receiver.
I don't know why people are so cynical about this project. This is an engineering problem that CAN be solved, and it gives us legitimate reason to develop space tech. This isn't poinless science like the real waste of resources that is the ISS (how will plants grow in 0g?*sigh*)
Not to mention, these solar satellites could be used to block incident sunlight, possibly offsetting our carbon emissions and cooling the planet at the same time.
A more ambitious solution exists that does not hold such unpredictable consequences. We currently are investing billions in solar cell technology. The next step is to put mass produced panels in space and transmit power to the surface.
It would kill three birds with one very large stone. And maybe some more birds would die from the microwave transmissions for power transfer, but I want to emphasize the benefits.
It could provide us with a relatively clean energy source that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide a global cooling effect by blocking incident sunlight, and free up land space that is being taken up by solar crop fields.
I know I'm not the first to think of this idea. Larry Niven's ringworld had a similar system to simulate day/night. Slashdot had an article earlier about how science fiction influences future technology. This concept is one that is ambitious, but could save the planet.
The only thing to figure out is whether or not it's practical.
If we have to consider the pain of a lobster, then we have to consider the pain of its close cousins -- insects. Are you arguing that using a bug zapper is equivalent to the holocaust?
Yes, in my opinion we do in fact need to consider the existence of all biomass on earth, which includes the pain that any life experiences.
I would not say that a bug zapper is equivalent to the holocaust, but it is a tool that is often unnecessarily used. Killing bugs with a zapper is sometimes a symptom of a problem that can be prevented. I'm not a pest expert, but I do know that eliminating standing water in your yard will hinder mosquitos from breeding. There are other things that can be done to mitigate all pests. But alas, the bug zapper does have its role in areas where mosquitos are a serious problem.
This is about living in harmony with the planet we have inherited. It is irresponsible to callously maime and slay life just because we are going to eat it. If we are to take nourishment from life, then that life should be treated with respect.
While you are right in saying this, I was making a different point completely. The OP said something along the lines of 'it's uncommon for animals to plan ahead.' My example was simply showing that he was wrong.
It's arrogant and naive to think humans have a 'much more advanced ability to think ahead' than animals.
Animals just don't tend to plan ahead"
Please. Any kid with a subscription to zoobooks can tell you about arctic foxes burying portions of a kill for later use during winter.
And what other animal has raped and exploited nature for its own immediate gains? Lets see where global warming takes us, then I'll ask you how good we are at 'thinking ahead'.
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Not to mention, this seems to be a complete waste of resources. I'd wager that at least as much land (if not more) will need to be dedicated to the antenna array as a 400MW (put in twice the power to make up for day-only operations) solar concentrator plant if they want any sort of chance of capturing all of the beam for conversion.
Yes, but also consider that this receiver is the ground based overhead we would need. If one solar power sat proves successful, all we have to do is launch more. They can all use the same receiver. I don't know why people are so cynical about this project. This is an engineering problem that CAN be solved, and it gives us legitimate reason to develop space tech. This isn't poinless science like the real waste of resources that is the ISS (how will plants grow in 0g?*sigh*)
Not to mention, these solar satellites could be used to block incident sunlight, possibly offsetting our carbon emissions and cooling the planet at the same time.
A more ambitious solution exists that does not hold such unpredictable consequences. We currently are investing billions in solar cell technology. The next step is to put mass produced panels in space and transmit power to the surface. It would kill three birds with one very large stone. And maybe some more birds would die from the microwave transmissions for power transfer, but I want to emphasize the benefits. It could provide us with a relatively clean energy source that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide a global cooling effect by blocking incident sunlight, and free up land space that is being taken up by solar crop fields. I know I'm not the first to think of this idea. Larry Niven's ringworld had a similar system to simulate day/night. Slashdot had an article earlier about how science fiction influences future technology. This concept is one that is ambitious, but could save the planet. The only thing to figure out is whether or not it's practical.
If we have to consider the pain of a lobster, then we have to consider the pain of its close cousins -- insects. Are you arguing that using a bug zapper is equivalent to the holocaust?
Yes, in my opinion we do in fact need to consider the existence of all biomass on earth, which includes the pain that any life experiences.
I would not say that a bug zapper is equivalent to the holocaust, but it is a tool that is often unnecessarily used. Killing bugs with a zapper is sometimes a symptom of a problem that can be prevented. I'm not a pest expert, but I do know that eliminating standing water in your yard will hinder mosquitos from breeding. There are other things that can be done to mitigate all pests. But alas, the bug zapper does have its role in areas where mosquitos are a serious problem.
This is about living in harmony with the planet we have inherited. It is irresponsible to callously maime and slay life just because we are going to eat it. If we are to take nourishment from life, then that life should be treated with respect.
While you are right in saying this, I was making a different point completely. The OP said something along the lines of 'it's uncommon for animals to plan ahead.' My example was simply showing that he was wrong.
Animals just don't tend to plan ahead"
Please. Any kid with a subscription to zoobooks can tell you about arctic foxes burying portions of a kill for later use during winter. And what other animal has raped and exploited nature for its own immediate gains? Lets see where global warming takes us, then I'll ask you how good we are at 'thinking ahead'.