▲ 637 ▼ Nuclear fusion reaction releases almost twice the energy put in (www.newscientist.com) submitted 2 years ago by throwaway389430@lemmy.cafe to c/news@lemmy.world 344 comments fedilink hide all child comments
[–] tryptaminev@feddit.de 78 points 2 years ago (4 children) There is a very efficient way to beam solar power from space. It is called light. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 8 child comments replies: [–] aidan@lemmy.world 27 points 2 years ago (3 children) It's not efficient, a huge amount of it gets diffused or absorbed permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (1 child) It doesn't need to be efficient. Capture all the light that hits earth for 5 minutes and that's the world energy demand for a year. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.cafe 5 points 2 years ago (3 children) How would you store it though? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago (1 child) solar george permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] bingbong@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Solar Robert permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago Stéphane Robert permalink fedilink source parent [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Black hole permalink fedilink source parent [–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Usually In plants and algae. permalink fedilink source parent [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago It’s not efficient, a huge amount of it gets diffused or absorbed The amount that's left over though is more than enough, especially with today panels which only convert a very small percentage of that remaining energy. As the panels improve even more they'll be a very large energy surplus, even with how much solar light actually gets through the atmosphere. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Furbag@lemmy.world -1 points 2 years ago (2 children) Wow, you're right! We should just build a Dyson sphere around the sun. 100% efficiency achieved. What could possibly go wrong? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] aidan@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago Where did I say that? permalink fedilink source parent [–] GojuRyu@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (1 child) Did you understand the person you respond to as saying its inefficient because the sun shines in other directions than the array proposed? I'm pretty sure the person talked specifically about the beam from the array to earth being inefficient. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Furbag@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago I was joking, but apparently nobody picked up on my snarky sarcasm. Disregard. permalink fedilink source parent [–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago (3 children) The nice thing about space is that there isn't any weather up there to make the solar panels dirty etc. There's also a lot of space, which solar panels need a lot of. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] gex@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago (5 children) How would you move the power down to earth? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 10 child comments replies: [–] nymwit@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Microwave transmission is what's usually said, then someone says anything in the beam's path will get zapped, then it's pointed out the energy density isn't that high. Just wanted to shortcut that for ya permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) But what if I want to zap anything in the beam's path? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] shottymcb@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Then a meddlesome British agent will interfere. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Well at least I still have my cat. And my moon laser permalink fedilink source parent [–] InFerNo@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (2 children) Long cable permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] justawittyusername@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago We need to make sure we knot it at the joins so it doesn’t get accidentally disconnected. permalink fedilink source parent [–] butterflyattack@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* (1 child) Or just charge up car batteries and drop them. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Isn't there already a tesla up there? Checkmate, Elon haters permalink fedilink source parent [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) How would you move the power down to earth? Last time I read up on it it was via converting the energy into microwaves and beaming it down. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) I think masers (microwave lasers) are the new theory for achieving this, previously it was beaming microwave down much like your microwave oven beams your food. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago It’s not that new. Sim City 2000 included a power plant that was just a receiving dish for a maser permalink fedilink source parent [–] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago Lasers permalink fedilink source parent [–] cygnosis@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Funny thing is, no matter how you arrange to do that it becomes a de-facto death ray. Stick a terawatt of solar panels in space, use the power to shine a laser/maser down to earth, then build a station to turn the laser power back to electricity? Great, until some hacker figures out how to control where the laser is pointed. Then you get Dr. Evil holding the world for ransom. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Dogyote@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 years ago Nah it's not really bad at all: The use of microwave transmission of power has been the most controversial issue in considering any SPS design. At the Earth's surface, a suggested microwave beam would have a maximum intensity at its center, of 23 mW/cm2 (less than 1/4 the solar irradiation constant), and an intensity of less than 1 mW/cm2 outside the rectenna fenceline (the receiver's perimeter). These compare with current United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) workplace exposure limits for microwaves, which are 10 mW/cm2,[original research?] - the limit itself being expressed in voluntary terms and ruled unenforceable for Federal OSHA enforcement purposes.[citation needed] A beam of this intensity is therefore at its center, of a similar magnitude to current safe workplace levels, even for long term or indefinite exposure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power?wprov=sfla1 permalink fedilink source parent [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (2 children) The nice thing about space is that there isn’t any weather up there to make the solar panels dirty etc. There's a lot of junk though can that can damage those panels. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago Space Lane cleaner was going to become a thing at some point anyway... permalink fedilink source parent [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway Actually, that's not true. The latest telescope we sent up there has been getting damaged from the junk at that point. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) And we can position a bunch over the poles to help stave off climate change. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) The poles aren’t really the place that need that the most. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) You wouldn't think so but them staying super cold helps stabilize a large chunk of our climate. Also throwing shade on arable land isn't great for food production. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) They're already really reflective and don't get much light. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* They're losing reflectiveness as they lose ice and it's one of the major drivers of climate change. permalink fedilink source parent [–] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) We dont need to collect it in space, just direct more of it to certain ground based collectors? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago (2 children) Increasing solar incidence will increase the planet’s temperature. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] kbotc@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago So will any other space collection of power. permalink fedilink source parent [–] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) what if we burn the co2 away permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago We might be able to burn this atmosphere away yet! permalink fedilink source parent [–] nutsack@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago no stop permalink fedilink source parent
[–] aidan@lemmy.world 27 points 2 years ago (3 children) It's not efficient, a huge amount of it gets diffused or absorbed permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (1 child) It doesn't need to be efficient. Capture all the light that hits earth for 5 minutes and that's the world energy demand for a year. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.cafe 5 points 2 years ago (3 children) How would you store it though? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago (1 child) solar george permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] bingbong@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Solar Robert permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago Stéphane Robert permalink fedilink source parent [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Black hole permalink fedilink source parent [–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Usually In plants and algae. permalink fedilink source parent [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago It’s not efficient, a huge amount of it gets diffused or absorbed The amount that's left over though is more than enough, especially with today panels which only convert a very small percentage of that remaining energy. As the panels improve even more they'll be a very large energy surplus, even with how much solar light actually gets through the atmosphere. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Furbag@lemmy.world -1 points 2 years ago (2 children) Wow, you're right! We should just build a Dyson sphere around the sun. 100% efficiency achieved. What could possibly go wrong? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] aidan@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago Where did I say that? permalink fedilink source parent [–] GojuRyu@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (1 child) Did you understand the person you respond to as saying its inefficient because the sun shines in other directions than the array proposed? I'm pretty sure the person talked specifically about the beam from the array to earth being inefficient. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Furbag@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago I was joking, but apparently nobody picked up on my snarky sarcasm. Disregard. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (1 child) It doesn't need to be efficient. Capture all the light that hits earth for 5 minutes and that's the world energy demand for a year. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.cafe 5 points 2 years ago (3 children) How would you store it though? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago (1 child) solar george permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] bingbong@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Solar Robert permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago Stéphane Robert permalink fedilink source parent [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Black hole permalink fedilink source parent [–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Usually In plants and algae. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.cafe 5 points 2 years ago (3 children) How would you store it though? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago (1 child) solar george permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] bingbong@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Solar Robert permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago Stéphane Robert permalink fedilink source parent [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Black hole permalink fedilink source parent [–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Usually In plants and algae. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago (1 child) solar george permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] bingbong@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Solar Robert permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago Stéphane Robert permalink fedilink source parent
[–] bingbong@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Solar Robert permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago Stéphane Robert permalink fedilink source parent
[–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago Stéphane Robert permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago Usually In plants and algae. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago It’s not efficient, a huge amount of it gets diffused or absorbed The amount that's left over though is more than enough, especially with today panels which only convert a very small percentage of that remaining energy. As the panels improve even more they'll be a very large energy surplus, even with how much solar light actually gets through the atmosphere. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Furbag@lemmy.world -1 points 2 years ago (2 children) Wow, you're right! We should just build a Dyson sphere around the sun. 100% efficiency achieved. What could possibly go wrong? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] aidan@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago Where did I say that? permalink fedilink source parent [–] GojuRyu@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (1 child) Did you understand the person you respond to as saying its inefficient because the sun shines in other directions than the array proposed? I'm pretty sure the person talked specifically about the beam from the array to earth being inefficient. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Furbag@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago I was joking, but apparently nobody picked up on my snarky sarcasm. Disregard. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] GojuRyu@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (1 child) Did you understand the person you respond to as saying its inefficient because the sun shines in other directions than the array proposed? I'm pretty sure the person talked specifically about the beam from the array to earth being inefficient. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Furbag@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago I was joking, but apparently nobody picked up on my snarky sarcasm. Disregard. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Furbag@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago I was joking, but apparently nobody picked up on my snarky sarcasm. Disregard. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago (3 children) The nice thing about space is that there isn't any weather up there to make the solar panels dirty etc. There's also a lot of space, which solar panels need a lot of. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] gex@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago (5 children) How would you move the power down to earth? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 10 child comments replies: [–] nymwit@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Microwave transmission is what's usually said, then someone says anything in the beam's path will get zapped, then it's pointed out the energy density isn't that high. Just wanted to shortcut that for ya permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) But what if I want to zap anything in the beam's path? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] shottymcb@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Then a meddlesome British agent will interfere. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Well at least I still have my cat. And my moon laser permalink fedilink source parent [–] InFerNo@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (2 children) Long cable permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] justawittyusername@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago We need to make sure we knot it at the joins so it doesn’t get accidentally disconnected. permalink fedilink source parent [–] butterflyattack@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* (1 child) Or just charge up car batteries and drop them. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Isn't there already a tesla up there? Checkmate, Elon haters permalink fedilink source parent [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) How would you move the power down to earth? Last time I read up on it it was via converting the energy into microwaves and beaming it down. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) I think masers (microwave lasers) are the new theory for achieving this, previously it was beaming microwave down much like your microwave oven beams your food. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago It’s not that new. Sim City 2000 included a power plant that was just a receiving dish for a maser permalink fedilink source parent [–] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago Lasers permalink fedilink source parent [–] cygnosis@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Funny thing is, no matter how you arrange to do that it becomes a de-facto death ray. Stick a terawatt of solar panels in space, use the power to shine a laser/maser down to earth, then build a station to turn the laser power back to electricity? Great, until some hacker figures out how to control where the laser is pointed. Then you get Dr. Evil holding the world for ransom. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Dogyote@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 years ago Nah it's not really bad at all: The use of microwave transmission of power has been the most controversial issue in considering any SPS design. At the Earth's surface, a suggested microwave beam would have a maximum intensity at its center, of 23 mW/cm2 (less than 1/4 the solar irradiation constant), and an intensity of less than 1 mW/cm2 outside the rectenna fenceline (the receiver's perimeter). These compare with current United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) workplace exposure limits for microwaves, which are 10 mW/cm2,[original research?] - the limit itself being expressed in voluntary terms and ruled unenforceable for Federal OSHA enforcement purposes.[citation needed] A beam of this intensity is therefore at its center, of a similar magnitude to current safe workplace levels, even for long term or indefinite exposure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power?wprov=sfla1 permalink fedilink source parent [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (2 children) The nice thing about space is that there isn’t any weather up there to make the solar panels dirty etc. There's a lot of junk though can that can damage those panels. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago Space Lane cleaner was going to become a thing at some point anyway... permalink fedilink source parent [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway Actually, that's not true. The latest telescope we sent up there has been getting damaged from the junk at that point. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) And we can position a bunch over the poles to help stave off climate change. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) The poles aren’t really the place that need that the most. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) You wouldn't think so but them staying super cold helps stabilize a large chunk of our climate. Also throwing shade on arable land isn't great for food production. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) They're already really reflective and don't get much light. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* They're losing reflectiveness as they lose ice and it's one of the major drivers of climate change. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] gex@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago (5 children) How would you move the power down to earth? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 10 child comments replies: [–] nymwit@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Microwave transmission is what's usually said, then someone says anything in the beam's path will get zapped, then it's pointed out the energy density isn't that high. Just wanted to shortcut that for ya permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) But what if I want to zap anything in the beam's path? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] shottymcb@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Then a meddlesome British agent will interfere. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Well at least I still have my cat. And my moon laser permalink fedilink source parent [–] InFerNo@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (2 children) Long cable permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] justawittyusername@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago We need to make sure we knot it at the joins so it doesn’t get accidentally disconnected. permalink fedilink source parent [–] butterflyattack@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* (1 child) Or just charge up car batteries and drop them. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Isn't there already a tesla up there? Checkmate, Elon haters permalink fedilink source parent [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) How would you move the power down to earth? Last time I read up on it it was via converting the energy into microwaves and beaming it down. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) I think masers (microwave lasers) are the new theory for achieving this, previously it was beaming microwave down much like your microwave oven beams your food. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago It’s not that new. Sim City 2000 included a power plant that was just a receiving dish for a maser permalink fedilink source parent [–] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago Lasers permalink fedilink source parent [–] cygnosis@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Funny thing is, no matter how you arrange to do that it becomes a de-facto death ray. Stick a terawatt of solar panels in space, use the power to shine a laser/maser down to earth, then build a station to turn the laser power back to electricity? Great, until some hacker figures out how to control where the laser is pointed. Then you get Dr. Evil holding the world for ransom. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Dogyote@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 years ago Nah it's not really bad at all: The use of microwave transmission of power has been the most controversial issue in considering any SPS design. At the Earth's surface, a suggested microwave beam would have a maximum intensity at its center, of 23 mW/cm2 (less than 1/4 the solar irradiation constant), and an intensity of less than 1 mW/cm2 outside the rectenna fenceline (the receiver's perimeter). These compare with current United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) workplace exposure limits for microwaves, which are 10 mW/cm2,[original research?] - the limit itself being expressed in voluntary terms and ruled unenforceable for Federal OSHA enforcement purposes.[citation needed] A beam of this intensity is therefore at its center, of a similar magnitude to current safe workplace levels, even for long term or indefinite exposure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power?wprov=sfla1 permalink fedilink source parent
[–] nymwit@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Microwave transmission is what's usually said, then someone says anything in the beam's path will get zapped, then it's pointed out the energy density isn't that high. Just wanted to shortcut that for ya permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) But what if I want to zap anything in the beam's path? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] shottymcb@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Then a meddlesome British agent will interfere. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Well at least I still have my cat. And my moon laser permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) But what if I want to zap anything in the beam's path? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] shottymcb@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Then a meddlesome British agent will interfere. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Well at least I still have my cat. And my moon laser permalink fedilink source parent
[–] shottymcb@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Then a meddlesome British agent will interfere. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Well at least I still have my cat. And my moon laser permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Well at least I still have my cat. And my moon laser permalink fedilink source parent
[–] InFerNo@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (2 children) Long cable permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] justawittyusername@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago We need to make sure we knot it at the joins so it doesn’t get accidentally disconnected. permalink fedilink source parent [–] butterflyattack@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* (1 child) Or just charge up car batteries and drop them. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Isn't there already a tesla up there? Checkmate, Elon haters permalink fedilink source parent
[–] justawittyusername@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago We need to make sure we knot it at the joins so it doesn’t get accidentally disconnected. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] butterflyattack@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* (1 child) Or just charge up car batteries and drop them. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Isn't there already a tesla up there? Checkmate, Elon haters permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago Isn't there already a tesla up there? Checkmate, Elon haters permalink fedilink source parent
[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) How would you move the power down to earth? Last time I read up on it it was via converting the energy into microwaves and beaming it down. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) I think masers (microwave lasers) are the new theory for achieving this, previously it was beaming microwave down much like your microwave oven beams your food. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago It’s not that new. Sim City 2000 included a power plant that was just a receiving dish for a maser permalink fedilink source parent
[–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) I think masers (microwave lasers) are the new theory for achieving this, previously it was beaming microwave down much like your microwave oven beams your food. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago It’s not that new. Sim City 2000 included a power plant that was just a receiving dish for a maser permalink fedilink source parent
[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago It’s not that new. Sim City 2000 included a power plant that was just a receiving dish for a maser permalink fedilink source parent
[–] cygnosis@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) Funny thing is, no matter how you arrange to do that it becomes a de-facto death ray. Stick a terawatt of solar panels in space, use the power to shine a laser/maser down to earth, then build a station to turn the laser power back to electricity? Great, until some hacker figures out how to control where the laser is pointed. Then you get Dr. Evil holding the world for ransom. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Dogyote@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 years ago Nah it's not really bad at all: The use of microwave transmission of power has been the most controversial issue in considering any SPS design. At the Earth's surface, a suggested microwave beam would have a maximum intensity at its center, of 23 mW/cm2 (less than 1/4 the solar irradiation constant), and an intensity of less than 1 mW/cm2 outside the rectenna fenceline (the receiver's perimeter). These compare with current United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) workplace exposure limits for microwaves, which are 10 mW/cm2,[original research?] - the limit itself being expressed in voluntary terms and ruled unenforceable for Federal OSHA enforcement purposes.[citation needed] A beam of this intensity is therefore at its center, of a similar magnitude to current safe workplace levels, even for long term or indefinite exposure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power?wprov=sfla1 permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Dogyote@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 years ago Nah it's not really bad at all: The use of microwave transmission of power has been the most controversial issue in considering any SPS design. At the Earth's surface, a suggested microwave beam would have a maximum intensity at its center, of 23 mW/cm2 (less than 1/4 the solar irradiation constant), and an intensity of less than 1 mW/cm2 outside the rectenna fenceline (the receiver's perimeter). These compare with current United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) workplace exposure limits for microwaves, which are 10 mW/cm2,[original research?] - the limit itself being expressed in voluntary terms and ruled unenforceable for Federal OSHA enforcement purposes.[citation needed] A beam of this intensity is therefore at its center, of a similar magnitude to current safe workplace levels, even for long term or indefinite exposure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power?wprov=sfla1 permalink fedilink source parent
[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (2 children) The nice thing about space is that there isn’t any weather up there to make the solar panels dirty etc. There's a lot of junk though can that can damage those panels. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago Space Lane cleaner was going to become a thing at some point anyway... permalink fedilink source parent [–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway Actually, that's not true. The latest telescope we sent up there has been getting damaged from the junk at that point. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago Space Lane cleaner was going to become a thing at some point anyway... permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 child) Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway Actually, that's not true. The latest telescope we sent up there has been getting damaged from the junk at that point. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago* Not at the legrange point! Yet, anyway Actually, that's not true. The latest telescope we sent up there has been getting damaged from the junk at that point. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) And we can position a bunch over the poles to help stave off climate change. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) The poles aren’t really the place that need that the most. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) You wouldn't think so but them staying super cold helps stabilize a large chunk of our climate. Also throwing shade on arable land isn't great for food production. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) They're already really reflective and don't get much light. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* They're losing reflectiveness as they lose ice and it's one of the major drivers of climate change. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 years ago (1 child) The poles aren’t really the place that need that the most. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) You wouldn't think so but them staying super cold helps stabilize a large chunk of our climate. Also throwing shade on arable land isn't great for food production. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) They're already really reflective and don't get much light. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* They're losing reflectiveness as they lose ice and it's one of the major drivers of climate change. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) You wouldn't think so but them staying super cold helps stabilize a large chunk of our climate. Also throwing shade on arable land isn't great for food production. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) They're already really reflective and don't get much light. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* They're losing reflectiveness as they lose ice and it's one of the major drivers of climate change. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) They're already really reflective and don't get much light. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* They're losing reflectiveness as they lose ice and it's one of the major drivers of climate change. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* They're losing reflectiveness as they lose ice and it's one of the major drivers of climate change. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) We dont need to collect it in space, just direct more of it to certain ground based collectors? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago (2 children) Increasing solar incidence will increase the planet’s temperature. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] kbotc@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago So will any other space collection of power. permalink fedilink source parent [–] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) what if we burn the co2 away permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago We might be able to burn this atmosphere away yet! permalink fedilink source parent
[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago (2 children) Increasing solar incidence will increase the planet’s temperature. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] kbotc@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago So will any other space collection of power. permalink fedilink source parent [–] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) what if we burn the co2 away permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago We might be able to burn this atmosphere away yet! permalink fedilink source parent
[–] kbotc@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago So will any other space collection of power. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 child) what if we burn the co2 away permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago We might be able to burn this atmosphere away yet! permalink fedilink source parent
[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago We might be able to burn this atmosphere away yet! permalink fedilink source parent