SPS versus other energy sources

Hi Victoria.

Me too. Your writing style does not seem harsh. Requesting
substantiation for broad, unsupported statements is a reasonable
position for a group like this. It will take a looong while for me to
put all the supporting pieces together, though, so be patient.

You other folks out there, feel free to dive in and say "WHOA" if this
is too far off topic.

I've been investing, reading, surfing and wallowing in the general
subject of alternate energy for about three decades now. That's how I
came to know about SPS and the Space Studies Institute. I have no
professional experience in the field, just a History BA and a Geography
BA. Still, I have no doubt I can support with references some of the
statements I made. I'll try not to overkill the ones where you indicate
"motherhood and apple pie" agreement.

On topic, SSI-wise, I think my biggest concern in the SPS area is trying
to nail down just how much "appetite" there is in the
professional/technical/financial community for a challenge this big. It
seems to me that there are too many other projects with absolutely known
technical and financial parameters. Put "X" dollars into windpower and
you have an absolute certainty of "Y" average annual revenue return.
Yes, there are risks, but they are not unknowns. Some of them, like
wind availability, even have statistical profiles. Same is true for
solar and even for "clean" burning coal. Then again, we could both be
out in the cold if those new "inherently safe" pebble bed nuclear
reactors catch on. Just think...an entire generation of lawyers would
have lifelong careers out of that.

Much as I would prefer otherwise, I don't believe anybody can say that
SPS has well understood technical, professional or, especially,
financial parameters. It has not been done yet. The unknowns every
step of the way are still huge. Plus, there is still the obstacle of
reliable, inexpensive Earth to orbit transportation. All the ground
based solutions avoid that obstacle.

I'm looking forward to your "general" response to the above while I get
out my data shovel and plunge into the debris pile looking for some
references.

Colin Keizer

PS: Apologies to all for me failing to delete the bulk of the
"quote/reply" from my previous message.

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 06:49:46 -0000

Sorry Colin I can't resist a good natured critique. As I've learned
from others on this list, sometimes my writing style seems harsh, so
I'm assuring you that that isn't my intention.