http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 8:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 12:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 1:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 4:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
A 1.5GW microwave beam at your command? Who could resist... ]]>Apr 16th 2009 12:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
Because you know, California has no sun. It really needs a device to concentrate solar radiation.]]>Apr 15th 2009 1:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
I'm sceptical that it'll work, but it's probably not dangerous. Reassuring, no?]]>Apr 15th 2009 1:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/

…just waiting for that toolbox NASA dropped to collide with it.
]]>Apr 15th 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 16th 2009 12:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
It also sounds like a plot for Back to the Future 4! lolz]]>Apr 15th 2009 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 12:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 12:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Getting ready to be microwaved, yes sir!!!]]>Apr 15th 2009 11:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_another_day]]>Apr 15th 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 4:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
please tell me your joking]]>Apr 15th 2009 11:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
Have you seen the movie "Space is the Place"? Now there movie that will leave you in a 2 day WTF stupor...]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
Has their been sufficient testing on what might happen if an airplane passes through the beam? My thinking is nothing at all, since it would pass through so quickly, but has airplane electronics been exposed to these types of microwave for testing (just curios)?

Also, what happens if the satellite gets bumped by space debris and knocked a kilter? Anyone think it could be possible for it to end up beaming this energy onto someone's house?]]>Apr 15th 2009 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
i don't know any numbers for that beams intensity or the proposed intensity of the beam from space so this might not be applicable at all...]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/ha ha. ]]>Apr 15th 2009 11:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 12:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 3:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/Apr 15th 2009 4:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
None of the problems or dangers seem that great - just expensive to build and get started.

Solar in space is VERY efficient and so is microwave transmitting/collecting.

For those of you afraid of microwaves frying everything up, many companies already use them to beam things around - way below dangerous levels.

In the long run, could be cheap energy, but can't imagine it being cheaper than nuclear energy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_solar_power


]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/15/solaren-corp-to-supply-california-with-space-based-solar-power/
So unless I forgot my college physics...

For instance lets imagine I have a point source radiator in space putting out a fairly narrow 2 degree beam (I have no idea how narrow you can truly transmit this much energy, but let's keep it simple here):

Beam width = spread-angle * 0.18 * distance
= 2 * 0.018 * 36800km = 1324.8km

Lets assume the signal is 1.2gW as stated

Square area is 3.1416 * (r=662400m)^2 = 1378451644416m^2

energy density = 1148.7 W/m^2 (not counting transmission losses)

You need a BA'ed antenna to capture that energy (as a point of comparison the District of Columbia has a square area of 177 sq Km)]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:48PM