9 ms·
Can we get microwaves (or whatever atmosphere blindspot frequency) through dozens of kilometers of atmosphere without it diffusing/scattering or losing a bunch
by FiggyPudding 5y ago
Can we get microwaves (or whatever atmosphere blindspot frequency) through dozens of kilometers of atmosphere without it diffusing/scattering or losing a bunch to absorption?
Would need very large ground target to absorb and convert to electricity and hope someone or some tech error doesn't change the coordinates.
The standard cosmic ray/solar flare bitflipping or supervillain hacker.
Lose energy 2 steps more than a cell on the ground
Sunlight -> Battery (solar cell)
Battery -> Transmitter (magnetron?)
Transmitter -> Receiver (through atmosphere)
Receiver -> battery/grid (Receiver a PV cell or funky molten salt/water steam turbine?)
How many football fields of solar cell in space do we need to match a rooftop on the ground?
Just get started on that Dyson sphere and cut out the middle man...
- GravitasFailure 5y agoI haven't done the math myself to double check, but the ground station receivers would have to be multiple kilometers across, and atmospheric energy losses would be significant. Honestly, after a certain level of complexity you really do have to admit Nuclear is safer, cheaper, and simpler.