Sunday, February 22, 2009

Let the Space Solar Shine in

Gaith Tellisi
600A
February 20, 2009
Draft 3

Let the Space Solar Shine in

In this 21st century, the serious global issues are threatening the mankind’s safe life, and also the existence on Earth such as global warming and environmental degradation. These issues come from the unbalanced way that human has been using during decades to enhance the standard of their living (“Energy Compensation,”par. 1). The increase of power consumption during the 20th century can be main the reason. In fact, as the population increases, the consumption of energy, food, and some other resources are predicted to increase in the coming years (Valentine, 1). However, experts have started to think of new source of pure energy, which is Space Solar Power Station (SSPS). The concept is that this station is orbiting the Earth and gathers energy from the sun directly. Therefore, the scientists said that this kind of station can provide large quantities of energy to Earth, and it can solve the long term energy problems. Even more, it has a very little environmental impact on Earth.

First of all, SSPS can provide large quantities of energy to Earth, and it can solve the long term energy problems. Basically, it is obvious that the space solar power is not reflected by clouds or any other weather affects. Therefore, the sun shines continuously in space except for two short periods, which are during the equinoxes (Valentine, 2). Furthermore, the estimated lifetime of the sun is four to five billion years, making the space solar power the clearest long term energy solution. In fact, Earth receives only one part in 2.3 billion of the Sun's output, which make the space solar power so far is the largest potential energy source available. For instance, nearly all spacecrafts are using space solar energy as the main source of power. As a result, this technology combined with the wireless power transmission, which is already exists, can supply the electrical needs of our planet for a long time.

Second, SSPS has a very little environmental impact on Earth. When hearing about the microwave beam and transmit the energy wirelessly to the Earth, people start asking questions whether this beam contains radiations, or will have an effect on the animals and damage the environment. As a result, the opposite is correct, the scientists say that the microwave beam, transmitting to Earth, will heat the atmosphere slightly, and the frequency has to be chosen carefully to avoid cooking any kind of animals, so there is no effect on environment and the animals as well. In addition, some space researches show that the SSPS can be built from materials that are extracted particularly from Moon or near Earth asteroids (“Better Strategy,” par. 3). This means, the full environmental benefits of space solar power is that most of the work will be outside of Earth's biosphere, so SSPS will have clearly zero environmental impact on Earth.

In conclusion, although still an idea far ahead of its time, space solar power station will offer the purest power generating with large quantities of electricity that human need for the coming years. Also, among all other kinds of power generation, none has such gentle environmental impact on Earth. As a result, mankind should support this sort of ideas because it can save the planet, and it will open a new gate to the resources in space.


Works Cited
Valentine, Lee. “Space Solar Power." New Trends in Astrodynamics and Applications
.New Jersey: SSI Princeton Conference, 2008. 1-2.

“Energy Compensation Using Solar Power Stations in Space." 16 Dec. 2008
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“A Better Strategy for America and the World?” 17 May. 2007<>

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