5 ms·
Why don’t we just leave the fusion where it works best, i.e. the sun? Put the same amount of spending into building a robotic solar collection factory on the m
by alex_young 4y ago
Why don’t we just leave the fusion where it works best, i.e. the sun?
Put the same amount of spending into building a robotic solar collection factory on the moon and beam the power where we need it. No crazy particles to deal with and zero nuclear weapons byproducts.
- jefftk 4y agoA beam of power many times stronger than the Sun sounds like a pretty terrifying weapon
- topher515 4y agoThis is actually one of the classic "disasters" in Sim City 2000[1]. The "Microwave Powerplant" works by bouncing a concentrated beam of sunlight to earth. It provides plentiful, pollution free power... The only downside is sometimes the satellite beam misses, melting everything surrounding it. [1] https://simcity.fandom.com/wiki/Microwave_(disaster) https://simcity.fandom.com/wiki/Microwave_(disaster)
- alex_young 4y agoThe microwave beam would be pretty wide by the time it reached the surface. The power levels wouldn’t make an effective weapon but would take up a sizable footprint for the collectors.
- jefftk 4y agoIf it isn't many times stronger than sunlight, just build more solar panels. If it is many times stronger than sunlight, that's pretty dangerous!
- alex_young 4y agoMW power transmission is about 85% efficient at the receiving end. Solar is much lower than that.
- eropple 4y agoSolar is much lower than that, but it has the advantage of being doable on the ground.