Describe a beamed power solution. ( Digest Number 135)

At 01:41 PM 6/25/01 +0000:
>There are 20 messages in this issue.
... (lots and lots of discussion deleted) ...

I am afraid I don't have a lot of time to spend on this topic or this list.
And few people have time to pull together bits and make a case. But I have
a suggestion to the people interested in the topic of beamed power, and
future solar power from space.

This is a _very good time_ to make the case for beamed power. If someone
thinks there is a case for a beamed power relay to help respond to
California's situation, they should put the numbers together *now*. In
fact, I suggest they post them here. Elsewhere, I have seen the comment
that a beamed power path could transmit power with 50% efficiency, vs 10%
for new land lines. Some people are taking that to Congress, and there have
been and will be more hearings. But I am not convinced. I think the
geometry is against you. I think launch costs are against you. I would
*love* someone to prove me wrong.

In Washington, there would be a *lot* of interest in high technology
alternatives to help provide power to the western US, especially ones that
would also help leverage space development. Come up with the right couple
of paragraphs, and money could flow into this arena.

Okay class, you have 3 hours on this problem. Get set.. get ready..
*Start*! (and remember, pencils down after 3 hours.. :-).

- Eric

PS. As a helpful hint for this exam, be sure to include all assumptions in
your answer. Do not ask the reader to read other messages or other articles
- you can just repeat any important information in your summary. (The
message is - don't make people work for the answer - put all the parts
together, so your short email can be forwarded to the right congressional
contacts!)

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