History of SPS
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
History of SPS
Ever wondered why you may not have heard of the term Solar Power Satellites (SPS) before even though it is a clean and green source of energy, with a practically limitless source?
This is because SPS, which was first thought up in the 1960s, has been largely ignored by the media and also other larger organizations around the globe. Many of the exhibitions regarding the SPS are poorly advertised and little fundings are channeled into the research and development of SPS. In fact, for the past 50 years, the amount that worldwide governments have spent on SPS research as compared to nuclear power development is actually 1 : 1000.
Why are countries around the world completely overlooking the fact that SPS would become a major source of energy for Earth in the future?
This is because many people claim that SPS as a major source of energy is unrealistic due to the fact that launch costs are high these days. Plus, many think that the thought that energy would just be able to come in through your window as microwave beams ready for use too good to be true. Indeed, many people feel that this would not be possible and that it sounded more like a tale from some sci-fi movies.
However, does the above points disagreeing with the further exploration of SPS really stand in front of the fact that the Earth desperately needs a limitless and clean source of energy in the future?
I am sure that many would think not. Currently, our store of fossil fuels are running out, and although biofuels have started being expanded, food sources are depleting because of it. Nuclear power plants are extremely dangerous structures and not many countries have the space and money to build these extensive buildings.
Therefore, SPS certainly does stand out as a possible source of energy for all countries in the world. Firstly, high launch costs could be minimized with more research funds channeling into the research for SPS. With more research funds, SPS launch costs could be decreased, and the thought that energy would be readily available wherever we are would definitely not be a scene from a sci-fi movie.
There is a limitless source of enegry out there in the outer space for humans to conquer. If SPS proves as a feasible idea to harness it, what is stopping us from developing the idea?
Reference:
(Information on author not available), (Information on year not available). Introduction-Energy from Space[online].(Information on edition not available).Space Future. Available from: http://www.spacefuture.com/power/introduction.shtml
[accessed 2 April 2008]
Researched by: Chua Sin Ying
Compiled by: Chua Sin Ying
Posted By: Chua Sin Ying
