EADS Astrium is again looking at the idea of collecting solar power from space. H/T Ivan. Power that will be significantly cheaper than any solar power collected on Earth. Personally, bar fusion or one of the newer technologies, I think it is the best way forward and we should be doing it anyway.
The hiccup seems to be that they are looking at having the Project funded by government. Clearly the see it not being profitable but as a test platform and they don’t want to *cough* ‘invest’ that money when they will not be able to recoup it. The way to make it viable is to have a space elevator or magnetic rails to throw the kit into space. A win win. Two technologies from one project instead of the Windmill project, no technology from a fortune invested. Even David Cameron returned his because it was obsolete and he believes in them. A brief moment of sanity. It’ll be unlikely to happen again.
Then all of a sudden they said ‘The tricky bit is the power-beaming technology… in the event of a beam wandering off the receiving station could be a bit messy – indistinguishable from orbital raygun bombardment.’
I think funding could come any day from the US DOD. It’ll be peanuts to them.
Personally, I think it would be safer than a ground based nuclear station. You could turn off the beam or point it elsewhere and it certainly won’t be subject to a group of muslim or green nutters fiddling with it with Semtex vests. Plus, it’s not like we will put the receiving station in London or somewhere. No it will be safely in Baghdada desert somewhere.
How do you get the magnetic rails into space?
Hello,
Your suggestion sounds good, but I myself have been trying very hard to marry both the idea of a special space elevator and sources of private funding but it really becomes hard on these times.
There is a long story I could tell about how I went from California to other places around the world and nothing came out of the invested resources, but I do not want to get into that nagging.
I would however suggest that you keep in mind other technologies from which a space elevator could be built so do read about them, and do comment on their values, even if they have not all the desirable attributes that the current CNT tether system has.
I can assure you will see that if a functional space elevator is ever to be built, it will have integrated into its supporting system something from the other proposed concepts.
One suggestion is that you look at my competitor’s proposal, Prof. B. Quine, whom successfully patented a system to combine inflatable studs into a 20 km tall tower. You can also look at my own proposal by going to http://spaceentrepreneurs.ning.com/profile/NeslonSemino
Thank you for your contributed article.
James,
I think you need to read ‘The Launch Loop’ article in Analog Dec. 1983 to answer that.
James,
The magnetic rails run along the ground and slope upwards. The launch vehicle is accelerated along themand flung into space.
Remember Fireball XL5. The stuff that probably started meon my Sci-Fi path. The rocket flew along the tracks and was launched into space. Cutting edge stuff now.
Ivan,
If only we had your library.
Lord T,
I’m trying to remember the title of the story that uses the system you describe. It’s not ‘Prelude to Space by A. C. Clarke – that uses a flat track to get the speed necessary for the ram jets to fire. There are several that use that method but there is one I read about 5 years ago that had tracks that went up the side of a mountain.
Unfortunately my library only grows by the odd book a year now mainly because the one bookshop here that has any books in English very seldom has SF.
Ivan,
The oldest one I remember is the Gateway books. There was one mentioned in there. Funny enough getting blown up by terrorists.
Anyway, there are a few books out there using the technology. Two types, passengers, which is handles with kids gloves and for freight which it handles quickly and efficiently.
I’m with Nikola Tesla……….
Oh……I just realised how vague my last comment was………..and I actually like it that way so I will elaborate no further other than to say it involves something beginning with the letter E and has nothing to do with camping.
Richard,
That is more than vague.It is pretty meaningless. It could mean anything at all.
Have you thought about a career in politics?
@Lord T
A finely tuned Bike Pump is always handy in the winter, but not in the hands of a Kevin…………does that answer your question?
Richard,
My readers may be intelligent enough to work it out but I’m too thick. I need things spelt out nice and simple.
Lord I have forgotten what I was getting at and it looks like I was drinking too much cider………Very sorry but my comments look like that of a mad man with no idea of what he is saying.
I think it had something to do with Nikola Tesla but then again I may have been in cryptic mode which could mean my comments have infinite meanings which can only be deciphered by myself within 5 mins of typing the comment.
I am giving up smoking and in the past I have found that a ciggie and a pint go very well together so I though I would face my demons and drink loads of cider, red wine and real ale every night (And sometimes in the day) to get it out of my system……so far it hasn’t worked and I still crave ciggies when drinking.
But at least I get to be roaring drunk for a few weeks which is always a good thing
Nearly 2 months without a fag and as determined as woodpecker my resilience is fixed and locked.