Death RF rays beaming energy to UK homes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nuclearcat
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 14, 2020, 03:35:13 pm
content: https://inews.co.uk/news/science/millions-uk-homes-solar-power-beamed-down-from-space-2050-759491QuoteI think Dave covered such subject before?

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2020, 05:13:09 pm
content: That's like building a Deathstar in our orbit. What a great idea!5 bucks this doesn't work out

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2020, 05:22:44 pm
content: If you fill a couple 1000 hectares with rectennas you don't need especially large power densities.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2020, 05:40:24 pm
content: Quote from: nuclearcat on November 14, 2020, 03:35:13 pmTo my knowledge there is plenty of solar power being beamed down on us already. Seems reasonably safe as long as you avoid overexposing your skin.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2020, 06:29:28 pm
content: Years ago, a rich guy posted a warning sign on his property:"Danger! Radiation hazard to unprotected personnel."He explained to the authorities that anyone walking on his property stark naked could get a sunburn.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2020, 07:43:50 pm
content: This was neatly covered in The Expanse (books and series) science fiction series. While probably possible, basically the orbital mirrors turn into convenient military targets. In this particular case over Ganymede, the outcome of which was massive amounts of destruction on the surface.Start at 1:55 (or watch the whole damn series as it was quite good):

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2020, 05:03:48 am
content: QuoteIndeed, just on a slightly smaller scale:IR wireless charging.

author: retiredfeline
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2020, 05:08:20 am
content: Quote from: TimFox on November 14, 2020, 06:29:28 pmReminded me of the science exhibit that sported a sign: Danger! 1 million ohms!

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 01:21:13 pm
content: Whats wrong with a bunch of solar panels on the roof of my home???Are we having a crisis of not enough solar energy??Its only like ~50% of the earth is exposed to the sun constantly..Atleast with my rooftop solar panels there will be no transmission losses of the energy as with from deep space!

author: Syntax Error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 03:11:06 pm
content: And I thought sticking my head inside the microwave oven (after bypassing the interlock with a spoon) and then turning it on was dangerous!As Franky Goes To Hollywood sang...QuoteVisionary.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 04:36:05 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on November 14, 2020, 07:43:50 pmYou know, I love the expanse, it is a great sci-fi show, but...Ganymede doesn't have an atmosphere, Earth does, so that mirror would burn up.The whole "mirror falls down on the ground" makes no sense whatsoever. I get that it had to move the plot forward. The physics dont work out. If you break apart an object on orbit, you end up with a lot of object in orbit. Ganymede is tidal locked to Jupiter (just like our moon), so I dont think there is a geostationary (ganymostationary???) point for the mirrors. They are also enormous on the show, has to be several hundred km, if it is as big as they showed on the show and if it would be in orbit. I have to assume they are held in place with an Epstein drive, they are much closer to the ground. Which is a magic technology.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 04:43:47 pm
content: There was a whole argument about 1000 posts long on reddit about that and some actual physicists came to the conclusion that there would be a geostationary point around 46,000km up, which didn't make a whole lot of sense. I think everyone was too exhausted by the end of that to decided on the failure modeI agree though. In the case of Earth it'd make one hell of a mess destroying one and cause a massive debris field.Still the point of science fiction is to make you think and it did that which is a winner

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 04:48:38 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on November 16, 2020, 04:43:47 pmAgreed, great show, I'm watching it for the 3rd time.Obviously, the UK needs a space elevator, with a giant solar windmill mounted on it.

author: Domagoj T
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 05:44:09 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on November 16, 2020, 04:36:05 pmQuote from: bd139 on November 16, 2020, 04:43:47 pmThere are actually 4 points in space that would be usable for such space mirrors around Ganymede - Lagrange points 1, 2, 4 and 5.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrange_point

author: Syntax Error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2020, 06:02:17 pm
content: Does this technology mean solar roadways work at night?What about tethering the Moon with a space lassoo, and then towing the flottila of mirrors in lunar orbit, just like kites on a twine? The Moon only makes one revolution per orbit, so no issues with tangling up the twine. Plus there is a ready 'elevator' for construction and servicing. And it would look nice too.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2020, 06:20:44 pm
content: I imagine the mirrors would also have holographic logos etched onto them, so we could see which altruistic companies funded and built them...

author: CCitizenTO
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2020, 11:05:02 am
content: Or the people trying to ban Dihydrogen Monoxide.

author: dropkick
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2020, 04:50:25 am
content: My money is on the monoliths. Then we get two suns! Think of all that extra solar!