Astronomy
Biology & Medicine
Chemistry
Documentaries
Earth Sciences
Humanity
Life On Earth
Mathematics
Physics
Science Fiction
Technology
Biology & Medicine
Chemistry
Documentaries
Earth Sciences
Humanity
Life On Earth
Mathematics
Physics
Science Fiction
Technology
Articles / Astronomy
Can Satellites Provide Power To Earth From Space?
Posted by d_nov on May 3, 2012 at 6:13 am | Hits: 444 | Comments: 0
The concept is called Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrary Large Phased Array (SPS-ALPHA). The satellite would essentially be an array of thin film mirrors that would redirect sunlight toward photovoltaic panel, which would convert it into microwaves. The microwaves are then beamed down to the power plants below, which would convert them into electricity for redistribution. Something like this could very easily be built right in space with components carried by cargo ships, which would be much more cost effective than building it down below and launching it into the orbit.
If this project is successful, how will it impact the environment? Sure, a renewable source of energy is never a bad thing, but could the microwaves have a negative impact on the ozone layer? If the latter isn't an issue, then that is definitely worth pursuing.
By Denis Ivanov.
Source: phys.org
Comments
There are no comments on this item.
To comment on this item, please login or register.
Drunken Monkeys Raid Resorts, Steal Alcohol (Video)
Drunken Monkeys Raid Resorts, Steal Alcohol (Video)
(These monkeys steal alcohol from people at a tropical resort and get drunk. There are some interesting parallels between drunk monkeys and human under the influence of alcohol.)
Hits: 16575
Rating: 2.79 / 5
Category: Life On Earth
Open Mouthed Boa Constrictor (Image)
(This flash map will show you earthquakes detected recently around the world.)
Posted on April 15, 2013 at 2:25 pm in Earth Sciences.
0 Comments. 72 Hits.
(The amount of ice melting on the Antarctic Peninsula has increased dramatically in recent decades.)
Posted on April 15, 2013 at 2:16 pm in Earth Sciences.
0 Comments. 49 Hits.
(Shodan is the world’s first computer search engine that lets you search the Internet for computers. Find devices based on city, country, latitude/longitude, host name, operating system and IP. “Shodan is a search engine for hackers both good and bad. Sho)
Posted on April 9, 2013 at 7:35 pm in Technology.
0 Comments. 708 Hits.
(After 17-years living below ground, billions of cicadas belonging to Brood II are beginning to emerge across much of the eastern United States. )
Posted on April 8, 2013 at 5:32 pm in Living World.
0 Comments. 50 Hits.
(By translating shapes into computerized images, this system can turn any surface into a touch-screen.)
Posted on April 1, 2013 at 8:28 am in Technology.
0 Comments. 0 Hits.
(Two forthcoming European Physical Journal D papers challenge established wisdom about the nature of vacuum. )
Posted on March 26, 2013 at 4:55 am in Physics.
0 Comments. 71 Hits.
(New developments in microscopy have allowed researchers to image individual bonds within a molecule — seeing down to the atom scale. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-can-now-see-individual-atoms-2012-9#ixzz2ONqAybqc)
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:06 am in Physics.
0 Comments. 92 Hits.
(Mars One co-founder tells CBC about its proposed one-way trip to the Red Planet)
Posted on March 18, 2013 at 12:39 am in Astronomy.
0 Comments. 82 Hits.
(A defense contractor better known for building jet fighters and lethal missiles says it has found a way to slash the amount of energy needed to remove salt from seawater, potentially making it vastly cheaper to produce clean water at a time when scarcity )
Posted on March 17, 2013 at 9:50 pm in Technology.
0 Comments. 201 Hits.
(New research suggests it may be possible to learn complex tasks with little to no conscious effort, just like in The Matrix. Whoa, indeed.)
Posted on March 17, 2013 at 6:28 pm in Technology.
0 Comments. 124 Hits.
(NASA technicians have just finished the mirror backplate support structure, a folding wing assembly designed with to safely collapse the beryllium mirror during flight, and expand it again in orbit.)
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:26 pm in Astronomy.
0 Comments. 357 Hits.
(The new find solves a puzzle about where these big-fanged felines arose)
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 8:36 am in Earth Sciences.
0 Comments. 137 Hits.
Copyright 2006-2011 Educated Earth