Solar Tether Systems

[TheDED1]

Now, I know I'm new, but I just wanted to ask everyone what they're thoughts are on the possibility of solar farms in space? I personally think it's a brilliant idea. With no atmosphere to interfere in outer space, the collection of solar energy could be increased by a lot. Of course the costs of sending this all in space would probably be astronomical, (so to speak) and of course I don't think they've fully worked out the microwave relay dish transfer process, but let's say it all worked the way it's supposed to work, would you be behind it? or do you think it's a giant waste of time?

[russ]

The concept is a bit loony - insolation at the top of atmosphere is maybe 1500 watts/m2 - and on earths surface 500 to 1000 depending on conditions.

Today the space set up would be so much more costly as to be unimaginable. Maybe in the future the logistics can be managed - not soon though.

[TheDED1]

Not especially. the logistics would be the same as sending a satellite up into space. The most complicated part of it would be sending the energy back to earth without frying some guy standing near the microwave receiver. It may produce only a slightly larger amount of energy than on earth. but there's more space in space... which is why they call it that. lol. But with the new advances in solar technologies and the production of electricity higher than what it used to be, by the time it actually launches (if it ever does) these space solar farms could possibly give us enough power here on earth to power a city. I'm sure if they can send space probes to Jupiter, hovering a solar panel above Earth won't be to difficult for them to do. It's not as loony sounding as say a Dyson-Sphere or something far off into the far-flung future like that.r

[russ]

Haven't you read all the whining people are doing about the cost of the shuttle program? This would dwarf the shuttle program.

Maintenance in earth orbit? Sure, the repairman will pop in just as soon as a rocket can be scheduled and launched.

Like I noted - maybe someday - even probably but in the near future? No way.

Today it is still science fiction. The concept is drug up every now and then by someone trying to get green credits or money but that is all.

[Sunking]

Lift cost are $80,000/pound. Glad i don't smoke pot anymore and live in space.

[TheDED1]

Yeah, it does cost that much, and the government buys toilet seats for $300 a piece. I never said the government was smart with money. I just said it was a viable possibility. I also simply asked what you thought about the concept, not if it's cost effective right now. This forum is about solar power right? I didn't stumble into the financial department did I? I'm just saying it's completely possible to do this, and the power obtained from these solar panels could power cities. I'm aware that it's not practical right now, especially with the US about to go bankrupt and what not, but come on, answer the question, what do you think of the idea. Not about the financial aspect of the whole thing... the concept. Hypothetically: We can do it right now, and NASA has a surplus of cash for some reason, what do you think about the space tether system idea in general?

[russ]

Today? It is loony.

50 years from now? Most likely still loony.

Until space delivery systems come way, way down and maintaining people up there becomes easier it ain't gonna happen.

There is a space elevator concept I have seen. Might even work - until a hurricane or tornado come ripping through.

There is a rather large amount of junk up there - the shuttle dodges it from time to time - that would wreak havoc with a large solar installation.

[Sunking]

The concept is a bit loony - insolation at the top of atmosphere is maybe 1500 watts/m2 - and on earths surface 500 to 1000 depending on conditions.

Russ not so sure that is accurate. I have not checked but terristial insolation I believe is much higher than that. Even if not 24 h x 365 d insolation is as good as it gets.

[russ]

You get more hours up there - that is the biggest benny of all. The tilt would be a problem I expect - production is highest when the panel is perpendicular to the sun!s rays. I looked up the insolation for thye top of atmosphere - given at 1366 watts/m2

Solar insolation at the earths surface in Izmir yesterday was a high of 907 watts per m2 and a total of 7,118 watts/m2/day - maybe 80 to 85% usable. Typical for July. The annual average here is about the same as Athens, Greece - approximately 5,1 kW/m2/day.

December is not quite so great here - down around 2 kW/m2/day.

[TheDED1]

Now that's what I was looking for. I don't mind if it's called loony, but just because it's expensive has never stopped us from doing stuff before. I'm pretty sure getting to the moon cost a pretty penny, and I know for a fact they called it loony at the time. I have also seen the orbital elevator design, which in theory would work. But that's not all that far fetched either. To me if it takes 50+ years to accomplish that's not that far into the future. Like I was talking about before, the Dyson Sphere would be loony to me right now in human technology, but not a solar farm. They have a solar farm on the space station. The only difference is it powers the space station and doesn't send that power back to Earth. I know for a fact if they can avoid space debris floating around in a space station, a solar farm isn't going to be that difficult to dodge the stuff floating around up there. I understand that it's expensive and at this very point in time we're having this conversation, not a viable solution, but the idea is a sound one.

[Sunking]

just because it's expensive has never stopped us from doing stuff before.

That is a huge problem, especially with RE. If it cost you 30-cents per Kwh to generate with RE, and your competitor pays 10 cents, you cannot compete and will go out of biz.

I'm pretty sure getting to the moon cost a pretty penny, and I know for a fact they called it loony at the time.

Yes it did but that was a wise investment because it has already paid for itself 100 times and growing from the technology we had to develop to get there. Some of that technology developed was micro-computers, teflon, telemetry, and medical. But there was only 8 moon missions. The expense became to great. We had already been there and done it and there was nothing left to do.

Space Shuttle met the same fate. Nothing was being gained. It is much less expensive and more effective to just use a rocket booster to get satellites and probes into orbit. Just like your family budget when things are tight, you do not take a vacation for the heck of it. OK I might be wrong as Americans do just that on a credit card with money they do not have.

[russ]

I have never considered the space program loony. It has led to thousands of spinoffs in many areas.

What is loony is doing something the expensive, hard way for no gain.

When the lifting technology is more cost effective and someone can just zip up for repairs like calling a Sears repairman solar farms up there may well come.

Today - no way.