The REAL obstacle to SPSS

at the bottom.

>
> >>
> >> >Behalf Of Fred
> >> >
> >> > The real obstacle to building solar power satellite systems is
> >> > diplomatic, and international. Any solar power satellite system
> >> >that
> >> > can deliver power reliably to the ground can also deliver power
> >> > reliably to a "target", i.e. it can be used as a weapon.
> >> >
> >> >Please do not repeat this oft-repeated but thoroughly-wrong
> canard. The
> >> >microwave beam from an SPS would have zero usefulness as a
> weapon. For
> >> >one thing, the power density per unit area is far too low (at or below
> >> >the level of sunlight). For another, as a weapon it would be one
> >> >requiring the active cooperation of the target. (I'm referring to the
> >> >rectenna pilot beam, which is the only thing that makes the
> phased-array
> >> >transmission possible.)
> >>
> >> Are you sure? Doesnt have an SPS large arrays of solar cells to
> >> produce power?
> >>
> >> With that kind of power available wouldnt it be easy to power a laser
> >> unit instead of the microwave part of the SPS with it?
> >> You dont have to use the power only for the rectenna.
> >>
> >> A laser unit shouldnt be very big I think.
> >>
> >> All what you need is a power cable from the SPS to the laser unit.
> >>
> >> That kind of weapon would strike with light speed - you wouldnt even
> >> see it come.
> >>
> >>
> >> Frank
> >>
> >That would apply to anything built in space. If you are that worried
> >about orbital weapons, don't allow anything up there.
>
> I agree, space has a large dangerous potential for Earth.
>
> I think not addressing those dangers and doing as if there werent any
> will not help to avoid them.
>
> Humanity has to find a way to restrict dangers while making progress
> in space technology.
>
> If that does not succeed we will fail.
>
> Frank
>

There is no way to stop weapons eventually being deployed in space,
unless you find a way to change the fundamental nature of the entire
human race.

If someone really wants to cause problems from up there to down here,
all they really need is a big damn rock.

Brett