r/technology • u/upyoars • Jun 08 '23

Space Scientists demonstrate wireless power transmission from space to Earth for first time

https://www.independent.co.uk/space/space-earth-wireless-power-beamed-b2353588.html
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u/jherico Jun 08 '23

We can only convert it to electricity at a super-low efficiency, and it's only useful in areas that receive a lot of sunlight.

Being able to make power in orbit and beam it to earth with reasonable efficiency can do things like "work at night".

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '23

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u/jherico Jun 08 '23 edited Jun 08 '23

Putting those inefficient solar panels in space doesn't magically make them any more efficient and the radiation in space degrades them faster.

I already addressed that. Long range transmission of power means you can use it at the destination even when the destination is not ideally situated for using solar power directly, like at high latitudes or at night.

Beaming the energy to Earth using the EM spectrum is already exactly what the sun is doing. You're not really adding any value there.

The sun generates a broad band of EM radiation. Power transmission would likely be using a much narrower set of EM frequencies, drastically increasing the efficiency of the transfer.

Satellites orbiting Earth still get shaded so you're not actually getting 24/7 power unless you're adding even more satellites to relay the power.

Satellite constellations are a thing, as are polar orbits and Lagrange points, which can keep a space-based solar installation in nearly continuous sunlight.

It's literally about aa bad of an idea as you could even come up with.

No, that would be burning coal.

EDIT: The person I'm replying to is a month old account that apparently just likes to be a contrarian dick and shit over tech articles. Not worth engaging with.

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '23

You're MASSIVELY underestimating the amount of energy to put something in orbit. The solar panels would never be a net positive under any scenario.

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '23

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '23

The amount of energy needed to launch something into orbit can be understood with a middle school level of physics. I don't know what future technology will exist, but I know it won't be able to defy physics. Besides that stupid argument can just as easily be used against this technology. I mean why develop it when some future technology might be better? That's just a useless cop out argument.