While I am a fan of SPS (and all things space), the item you are forgetting is the cost of building them now.

Unless launch costs drop, no one is going to pay for these things up front.

So either we need a revolution in rocketry, or a space elevator (that works).

Aside from that, scientists are now using algae to create fuel–not to mention the helium-3 on the Moon (via fusion which still has to be perfected).

Posted by Darnell Clayton on July 30th, 2008 at 6:44 pm

Hey Darnell,

How’s life over at Colony Worlds?

One issue that I have with the issue of cost seems to be the inherent assumption that (a) it will be hideously expensive (which is probably true) and (b) that it all has to be paid for now.

I don’t see massive arrays springing into existence entirely complete, as Athena from the forehead of Zeus. I see this as a century project. If Eisenhower had the foresight to start the interstate highway system, which has borne significant fruit for this nation, then I don’t see why someone today can’t have the same foresight.

Let me be clear, I don’t think either Obama or McCain are that someone, and I’m not interested in voting for either of them as I consider them different flavored continuations of the ruinous status quo in which we find ourselves today. My vote was, and would like to be, for Ron Paul.

Why does everyone have to assume that the government will do it, or has to spearhead it? AT&T used Century Bonds to build the telephony infrastructure of this nation, an infrastructure from which they still draw a profit. Many early utility projects were private. The first couple of decades worth of SPS are just going to be test beds while we figure out the best way to approach the problem. We’re much better served by a number of companies trying different approaches to find the best one, than by having Uncle Sugar mandate the approach.

If there was a serious contender for building an SPS that issued century bonds (having a 100 year tenor), then I would absolutely put some risk capital into it, and so would a lot of other smart people around the world who want to get in on the ground floor of a permanent solution to base-load energy provision.

I don’t presume to know how this is going to turn out. You’re absolutely correct that better access to Trans-LEO destinations (or even just LEO for that matter) is crucial, but if we don’t have that then there are a lot of things that don’t make much sense. But the whole thing doesn’t even have to come from Earth. I can easily envision low-value components like structural elements being cast on the Moon and shipped to GEO from there. We won’t go to the Moon specifically to do that, but in the case of a viable commercial Moon then there is a greater likelihood that the capabilities for that will be found. We could even do the solar cells. The only thing coming from Earth would be the really complicated high-value stuff, for which by comparison the launch will look relatively inexpensive.

As a banker and an economist I recognize the critical role that energy plays in my nation’s prosperity. I believe that the Sun is the closest thing we have to a permanent energy source. I absolutely endorse tapping that source from space to ensure energy provision and security to the U.S., and selling SBSP sats to the rest of the world for a fair price.

Posted by Ken Murphy on July 31st, 2008 at 12:02 am

That’s a nice promotional video. Really tells the story well..

We just published a post on our White Label Space blog on basically the same topic because we are interested in hearing people’s opinions if space based solar power is really a good reason to support our (future) team in the Google Lunar X Prize. Certainly they organizers have idenified it as one of the dream elements to get people inspired in the project. But perhaps the general public will just perceive this as a science fiction fantasy project that won’t happen in their lieftimes.

I think what is really needed is some minium demonstration of feasbility. A space mission that shows that a meaningful amount energy can really be beamed down from space - starting in LEO perhaps. If that can be done for relatively low cost, e.g. by using new technologies like inflatable structures, it might convince governments and investors that it’s really possible.

Posted by Steve on August 17th, 2008 at 5:22 pm