SPS-ALPHA (Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrarily Large Phased Array)

[Somamech]

SPS-ALPHA (Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrarily Large Phased Array) is a novel, bio-mimetic approach to the challenge of space solar power. If successful, this project will make possible the construction of huge platforms from tens of thousands of small elements that can deliver remotely and affordably 10s to 1000s of megawatts using wireless power transmission to markets on Earth and missions in space. The selected NIAC project will enlist the support of a world-class international team to determine the conceptual feasiblity of the SPS-ALPHA by means of integrated systems analyses, supported by selected "proof-of-concept" technology experiments.

Nasa are up to real cool stuff

SOURCE:

http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/mankins_sps_alpha.html

[Somamech]

What if you could capture solar power in space, then send it down to Earth? What if you could launch the hundreds of modules for such a satellite, then use robots to assemble the entire array in space? You could power a military installation, a city—even on a cloudy day, even at night.

At the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), some of the brightest and most daring minds in satellites, space robotics, and radiofrequency are building the technologies that could lead to such an achievement.

Dr. Paul Jaffe, a spacecraft engineer at NRL, has built and tested a module to capture and transmit solar power. Even Jaffe admits the idea of an orbiting solar array that would beam energy to our planet seems kind of crazy. But, like most novel ideas, he says, "Hard to tell if it's nuts until you've actually tried."

As the Department of Defense (DoD) presses forward with energy security investments, solar power has already been proven in places like Hawaii and California. And ideally, a solar power satellite would provide power that was cost-competitive to what was locally available: about 10 cents per kilowatt hour in many places.

But the military sometimes has energy requirements in very remote areas. The U.S. Marine Corps has successfully used solar panels at Experimental Forward Operating Bases in the Middle East and for humanitarian assistance. Current practices—like running diesel generators, driving fuel over roads in hostile areas, or even dropping in fuel canisters with parachutes—make power extremely expensive and impact mission and safety.

With multiple, potentially hidden receivers, space solar power could ease logistics for DoD's deployed troops and remote bases.

[Somamech]

Recall that the NAVY are ALWAY's happy to help the AIR-FORCE   

[Somamech]

What if you could capture solar power in space, then send it down to Earth? What if you could launch the hundreds of modules for such a satellite, then use robots to assemble the entire array in space? You could power a military installation, a city—even on a cloudy day, even at night.

At the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), some of the brightest and most daring minds in satellites, space robotics, and radiofrequency are building the technologies that could lead to such an achievement.

[Somamech]

The Navy Provide this Picture:

IMG Credit US NAVY:

[Amaterasu]

More ways to control energy and keep the free energy around Us in obscurity, IMHO.

[rdunk]

More ways to control energy and keep the free energy around Us in obscurity, IMHO.

Amy, no matter whether what you say is true or not, this approach to power from this energy source would be far better than most any source we are now using. Plus the ones we are now using do not go up to space well for use at all. Overcome the gravity problem, and energy from earth sources would be better acclimated to going into space, but still might not be better than from this phased array source.

No, I don't think this would be the real lasting answer our energy needs, on Earth or otherwise, but it does sound potentially like another good useable way to capture energy from an available well known source.

[PLAYSWITHMACHINES]

No, I don't think this would be the real lasting answer our energy needs, on Earth or otherwise, but it does sound potentially like another good useable way to capture energy from an available well known source.

Hmm it looks very nice, but as always, there is a down side to this.

1) It's easily weaponisable, imagine beaming a few Gw of (microwave?) radiation into something like an oil depot or a nuclear reactor, or a crowd.

2) We have much better tech than this, we have all the energy we need, right here (or on the moon).

3) It will cast a shadow on the earth, so energy gathered in one place means it is not available in others.

4) It's too expensive, in fact i think it's window dressing, they have option 2 already

Nice pics though

[Amaterasu]

Agree wholeheartedly with Your assessment, Luke!

Yes, #2 is where the best energy is hidden.  Yes, I say this is "window dressing" to keep the masses hoping and believing that SOME solution is on the horizon.

[PLAYSWITHMACHINES]

Thanks Amy
Sure, it is feasable, even Athur C. Clarke & Asimov imagined things like this in operation, and could be of great use in space etc.
But the very thought of beaming power back to earth is still full of risks IMHO.

Also, such external energy might contribute to global warming.
It might get like Asimov's world Trantor, where enourmous heatsinks were raised at night to cool off all the machinery, and lowered during the day to minimise heat input. A scary thought....
I can't disclose too much at this time, but we do have much better alternatives and ZPE is just around the corner, i can even prove this with a very simple circuit posted in the inventor's group

Sorry Soma, didn't want to poop on your parade or anything, just call me a cynical old bar steward

[rdunk]

Also, such external energy might contribute to global warming.

Well, lets us see - it is casting a shadow, so that might cause gobal cooling. But then, even with some energy being collected that might have hit the earth anyway, this single beam of concentrated energy to a pinpoint energy collector on Earth might contribute to global warming, even though some/maybe most of its travel distance would probably be in space anyway??

I do wonder how something like this would withstand the aftermath of the Sun's high X-rated Coronal Mass ejections from the sun??

[PLAYSWITHMACHINES]

OK ya got me

At least, cooling one part of the planet while warming others will play havoc with the weather.

As for a coronal ejection, i guess they would have to place it behind Earth, and fast!

I just think that beaming energy from anywhere to anywhere is a little....passe'.
If we can prove it can be generated on the spot, in any amount, that would change things drastically.

The power companies know this, the cable companies know it. It would put them out of business overnight...

[Somamech]

Aside from energy etc, why are the Navy pointing their image around the malay region

[PLAYSWITHMACHINES]

Oops!

Expect MIB's at you door

Remember when Reagan initiated the 'star wars' program?
That went up less than 10 years later, they must have dozens of particle beam weapons up there by now, scary stuff!

[rdunk]

If we can prove it can be generated on the spot, in any amount, that would change things drastically.

The power companies know this, the cable companies know it. It would put them out of business overnight...

Totally totally agree!! My guess is that we cannot even conceive the scope of the paradigm impact upon this planet. As a matter of fact, I just made a post here that addresses even a such small change on this planet - - not anything like the broadness in scope of this, which will change the entire energy envelope of this planet, and possibly nearly everything that uses energy!!

Here is the link to that post, just FYI:

http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum/index.php?topic=6417.msg89632;topicseen#new