http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/ Engadget Comments for Space solar power potential highlighted in report http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 10:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 6:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 10:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 1:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 11:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
=P]]>Oct 14th 2007 11:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/]]>Oct 14th 2007 11:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
TETSUO!!!!

KANEDA!!!!

TETSUO!!!!

(SOL fires...)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

KANEDA!!!!!!!

TETSUO!!!!!!!]]>Oct 15th 2007 12:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 10:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
Too bad they canceled SG-1





Of course the pentagon will use it as a weapon - isn't that what our governments purpose is these days?]]>Oct 14th 2007 11:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 11:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
The microwaves would be directed down to antenna arrays on Earth, as a beam of radiation about one-sixth as intense as noon sunlight. The antennas would convert the radiation back into electricity for distribution via conventional grids.

hardly even a sunburn.]]>Oct 14th 2007 11:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
in which case the comparison is bull.]]>Oct 15th 2007 12:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 5:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/]]>Oct 15th 2007 7:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 11:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 11:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 11:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/]]>Oct 15th 2007 12:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 1:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
While they do that, I will enjoy my hard-ware natural-uranium chemical-recycling pebble-bed reactor plant, in my dreams...]]>Oct 15th 2007 1:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
More on topic, I'm not sure if I would like to see this happen either, the pollution involved in the launch would likely be astronomical, and the payback length for the combined economic and environmental impact could be extreme. The counter argument could of course be that any positive economic or environmental action is great, but, you must consider where we can best spend our money. There are other projects that would no doubt have a faster payback in both regards, and a more positive impact on our socio-enviro-economical standing, and there is only so much money to go around.

The very least we can do, is instate LFG flaring, even if we don't harness the energy (trapping, and igniting the methane gas produced by landfills through piping systems, as methane is 20 times worse as a greenhouse gas then the carbon dioxide that would be produced.

It isnt feasible to rely on the technologies of the future, or magical instant conversions to electric cars. We cant take the hippy view, because economics *will* win out, at least in the short term. BUT we can't ignore the undeniable evidence, and we can not survive with our current lifestyles, we need to focus on the cheapest options, or the ones with the quickest payback, because that is the only way that the government will support it. However, I am rambling, and I could no doubt go forever, preaching my opinions which matter so little, and are no doubt far from original, so I digress and merely remark as to my extreme hopes that humanity will learn to change our ways.]]>Oct 15th 2007 2:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
]]>Oct 15th 2007 11:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 14th 2007 11:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/]]>Oct 15th 2007 12:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 1:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
No? Sorry, I'm tired...]]>Oct 15th 2007 2:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 3:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
When studies were held on the colonization of space back in the 1970s, engineers determined that the practice of beaming solar power down to Earth would be profitable enough to fund the construction of a space habitat. As more space habitats were built, they could pay for themselves by building new solar power satellites.

However, the greatly underestimated launch costs for the space shuttle, (which would have been used in the construction of the satellites and habitats), practically erased the hope of space colonization by the year 2000.

Now, we are beginning to discuss the feasibility of a space elevator. Theoretically, this would lower the cost of a "launch" by a huge factor. So, if a space elevator is built, perhaps we will be able to construct solar power satellites, and eventually, space habitats.]]>Oct 15th 2007 12:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 10:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
I think it was this issue:
http://www.sciamdigital.com/index.cfm?fa=Products.ViewIssuePreview&ARTICLEID_CHAR=F5B4D895-8666-4511-823A-8C8E1B2FEF4


But I'm not 100% ]]>Oct 15th 2007 12:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 12:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 1:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 7:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
From this link:
http://www.trivia-library.com/b/modern-scientist-predictions-gerard-k-o-neill.htm

Quote:
For 1990--A space colony of 10,000 inhabitants would be complete and in orbit. Its cost would be paid for by the manufacture of satellite solar stations, which would beam energy back to earth over low-density microwave beams. The colony would be wheel-shaped or cylindrical (the big can in the sky). It would rotate to establish gravity (through centrifugal force), but the gravity would be low to allow man-powered flight as well as new kinds of sports and dances; people with heart conditions would live longer there, too. Inside the satellite would be green plants, trees, animals, and birds. Separate residential, agricultural, and industrial areas would be climate-controlled, and there would be no pollution and no insect pests. The people living in the colony would immediately start making another satellite, which in turn would spawn another, a process that could continue indefinitely.

Read a book people!!! ;)]]>Oct 15th 2007 12:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/It's damn obvious that if you can make a wide precisely directed microwave beam with some energy behind it you can make it narrow and directed 'elsewhere' almost just as easy, only issue being that it's relatively easy to shield yourself from it theoretically, that's were some inventiveness comes in.
Perhaps it could be used to overload radar installations of the enemy though (if said enemy wasn't a third word country for a change and had radar).
Or as a version of the in tv/movies much overdone EMP, hit say TV stations, or communication stations or satellite control centers and fry the electronics.
]]>Oct 15th 2007 1:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_K._O%27Neill]]>Oct 15th 2007 2:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/]]>Oct 15th 2007 1:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2266728

MarC]]>Oct 15th 2007 1:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 2:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 7:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 2:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
If it's done as a tight beam, it's going to be scary powerful - and if it'd done as a wide beam you're going to have some serious ineffiencies in the system (not to mention irradiating huge areas of unnaturally high levels of microwave radiation...)]]>Oct 15th 2007 2:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 2:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 2:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
http://www.eredux.com/states/]]>Oct 15th 2007 3:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/
"Would you prepared if gravity reversed itself? The only thing I can't figure out is how to keep the change in my pockets. I've got it. Nudity."

Real Genius indeed. Plus, he was the first action hero to carry a Nokia 9000 Communicator. Perhaps he's Engadget's (um!) patron Saint?]]>Oct 15th 2007 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/:-S

]]>Oct 15th 2007 10:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/space-solar-power-potential-highlighted-in-report/Oct 15th 2007 10:40AM