In 1941, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov published the science fiction short story "Reason", in which a … See more

The SBSP concept is attractive because space has several major advantages over the Earth's surface for the collection of solar power:
• It is always solar noon in space and full sun.
• Collecting … See more

Space-based solar power essentially consists of three elements:
1. collecting solar energy in space with reflectors or inflatable mirrors onto solar cells or heaters for thermal systems
2. wireless po… See more

One problem with the SBSP concept is the cost of space launches and the amount of material that would need to be launched.
Much of the material launched need not be delivered to its eventual orbit immediately, which raise… See more

Gerard O'Neill, noting the problem of high launch costs in the early 1970s, proposed building the SPS's in orbit with materials from the Moon. Launch costs from the Moon are potentially much lower than from Earth because of … See more

The potential exposure of humans and animals on the ground to the high power microwave beams is a significant concern with these systems. At the Earth's surface, a suggested SPSP microwave beam would have a max… See more