3 ms·
Ignoring the (significant) losses involved in transmitting power from space, let's assume you collect 150W/m2, and the solar panels produce at least 80% of this
by anonymousiam 4y ago
Ignoring the (significant) losses involved in transmitting power from space, let's assume you collect 150W/m2, and the solar panels produce at least 80% of this power for their 20-year lifespan. The energy required to put them in orbit (even with Starship) will far exceed everything they produce in their lifetime.
Assuming that I'm wrong and it's still viable, what about the risk to the inhabitants of the Earth if/when the attitude control malfunctions and a directed energy beam incinerates a whole city?
- hirundo 4y agoThey produce so little energy that they can't pay back a rocket launch in 20 years, but their power is so dangerous that a misdirected beam can incinerate a whole city? Those things seem to be contradictory.
- zardo 4y agoAre these solar panels orbiting Jupiter? Why only 150W/m^2?
- dexwiz 4y agoThe microwaves used probably wouldn't be too dangerous. The main issue would be the size of the receivers. https://www.energy.gov/maps/space-based-solar-power https://www.energy.gov/maps/space-based-solar-power