Wireless Power Transmission from Space to Earth Achieved

[Cockaigne]

https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/08/wireless-powe...

''Solar power has achieved a new milestone as scientists have proven that it can be transmitted wirelessly in space and beamed to Earth.''

Seems a massive step in right direction or space weapon?

Edited by Cockaigne on Thursday 8th June 23:47

[Hammersia]

This experiment hasn't actually transmitted power from space, but proved out some of the technology.

It's always been an interesting thought experiment - even with the vastly reduced payload costs of Starship, will putting solar panels in orbit ever add up compared to using millions of acres of unused Sahara desert for example.

Also a previous (?Japanese) concept did make it clear that the microwave beam isn't that accurate / coherent, it required a receiver of several hundred square metres, and for reasons of safety it would need to be at sea. It seems like the Earth infrastructure required would be significant, even before worrying about getting the power where it's needed without losses.

[Simpo Two]

Hammersia said:

...using millions of acres of unused Sahara desert for example.

That's actually a thought. If the Africans could get their act together like the Arabs did over oil, they could clean up on solar power and make mega-trillions selling electricity through a network of massive cables. The Sahara is a vast untapped resource of solar power!

Back to the first part though, and a beam of powerful microwaves being transmitted to a receiver on Earth - what happens if it goes off target...?

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 9th June 10:09

[TheLurker]

Simpo Two said:

That's actually a thought. If the Africans could get their act together like the Arabs did over oil, they could clean up on solar power and make mega-trillions selling electricity through a network of massive cables. The Sahara is a vast untapped resource of solar power!

Back to the first part though, and a beam of powerful microwaves being transmitted to a receiver on Earth - what happens if it goes off target...?

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 9th June 10:09

Your microwave meal cooks super fast. And for free.

[motco]

Simpo Two said:

Hammersia said:

...using millions of acres of unused Sahara desert for example.

That's actually a thought. If the Africans could get their act together like the Arabs did over oil, they could clean up on solar power and make mega-trillions selling electricity through a network of massive cables. The Sahara is a vast untapped resource of solar power!

Back to the first part though, and a beam of powerful microwaves being transmitted to a receiver on Earth - what happens if it goes off target...?

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 9th June 10:09

One of my children, when they were pre-school, found that a carefully targeted magnifying glass on a sunny day would stop an ant in its tracks. 'Magnify' that by ten or more orders of magnitude and you have your answer!

[Simpo Two]

motco said:

One of my children, when they were pre-school, found that a carefully targeted magnifying glass on a sunny day would stop an ant in its tracks. 'Magnify' that by ten or more orders of magnitude and you have your answer!

Exactly. While there may be more solar energy per unit area in orbit than on the ground, the cost, practicality and risk of transferring it to the ground surely rule it out. More of a weapon than a utility.

[Cockaigne]

surely lasers would be much better?

[Fatboy]

Did no one play sim city 2000?

Misdirected microwave power beam was one of my favourite disasters!!!