It seems the Pentagon is getting serious about the ramifications of space-based solar power. It makes sense to study this from the perspective of national security, since satellites are involved and power distribution is a security risk. Of course, the idea of solar power being collected in space and beamed to the Earth's surface is not a new idea, as anyone who has played SimCity can attest. The concept beats current solar power plants in two ways: no down-time in collection due to night time hours or cloud cover; and no need for break-throughs in battery storage technology. However, the feasability of the distribution from space to the ground is something that needs serious study. Will we see it in our lifetimes? And will it look as cool as it did on my old 486?
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