Space Based Solar Power Within a Decade?

Nancy Atkinson writes "A new company, Space Energy, Inc., says they have developed what they call a 'rock-solid business platform' and they should be able to provide commercially available space based solar power within a decade. 'Although it's a very grandiose vision, it makes total sense,' Space Energy's Peter Sage told Universe Today. 'We're focused on the fact that this is an inevitable technology and someone is going to do it. Right now we're the best shot. We're also focused on the fact that, according to every scenario we've analyzed, the world needs space based solar power, and it needs it soon, as well as the up-scaling of just about every other source of renewable energy that we can get our hands on.'"

Re:So long cables running from space to earth?

[hamburgler007]

All they need are a couple of solar panels and a bunch of extension cords. I don't know about the solar panels, but home depot has 50ft extension cords that look pretty sturdy for only $20, and for the 20,000 of them or so that you would need I'm sure they could work in a discount.

Re:Tiny effect

[Hucko]

If we position it right, we can make the earth a huge solar sail and push ourselves out to an orbit that will negate the heat trapped by greenhouse gases!

Re:So long cables running from space to earth?

[bmgoau]

If SimCity 2000 is anything to go by this venture will result in a massive fire, followed closely by an alien invasion.

Re:Tiny effect

[EdIII]

Is that you Professor Farnsworth?

Re:Military applications

[TheLink]

Yeah it'll be nice to be able to accurately and very precisely deliver 10 MW to targets in a hostile area.

Even if it's only for a minute or so and there are no sharks involved, I'm sure the military will still find a use for it :).

Re:Tiny effect

[lordofthechia]

who is going to be liable if 100,000 people get irradiated with low-power microwaves?

I can see it now... A bag of microwave popcorn will be the canary of the 21st century:

Oh my god Ellie Mae! The Bag's poppin'! Get the kids indoors and make sure they got their tin foil outfits on!

Re:Tiny effect

[VShael]

who is going to be liable if 100,000 people get irradiated with low-power microwaves?

Oh, I know! Motorola and Nokia, right?

Re:Yep

[Zerth]

I bet the in-side is pretty dark.

Re:Renewable energy?

[benjamindees]

First, we assume a spherical limitless energy source in the sky...