Pentagon Urges Space-Based Solar Power

eldavojohn writes "The Pentagon issued a report indicating that space-based solar power 'has the potential to help the United States stave off climate change and avoid future conflicts over oil by harnessing the Sun's power to provide an essentially inexhaustible supply of clean energy.' The report, from the Pentagon's National Security Space Office, calls for funding the development of space-based solar power culminating in 'a platform in geosynchronous orbit bigger than the international space station and capable of beaming 5-10 megawatts of power to a receiving station on the ground.' The Pentagon's interest in such an effort stems from the need to acquire energy on the battlefield, which today often comes at a painful premium."

Right...

[benhocking]

Because I can't imagine any other military application behind beaming 5-10 megawatts of power to a focused location...

Re:Right...

[ColdWetDog]

Because I can't imagine any other military application behind beaming 5-10 megawatts of power to a focused location...

No, no, no. This is the NEW Pentagon. They're here to help developing countries. If they need some power, we'll give it to them.

Oh, and sorry about the little incident where we fried your communications infrastructure. We'll help with that, too. Just got a few bugs in the system. Complicated technology and all that.

Kumbayah, indeed.

[haakondahl]

I'm going to laugh myself unconscious when the United States Military solves the problem of clean, renewable energy for the world. Take that, hippies! Muahahahahaaaaa!

Re:bullshit reasoning

[the_humeister]

An airstrike anywhere on earth with a high powered laser would be the ultimate clean weapon.

That's right: it uses clean energy! Everyone wins!

Re:There are stupid ideas

[darkmeridian]

If you're cynical enough to believe that the military is using this as an excuse to develop high-powered lasers, or potentially a space-based death ray, then why do you also say that it's a really "stupid" idea? By your thesis, it's a good but *evil* idea.

Re:Actually, this could save money...

[Anonymous Coward]

If we give the Pentagon a giant space laser, why do we have to send troops at all?

because we haven't found any giant space sharks yet...

Tinfoil hat?

[woolio]

In practice, it'd be a piece of cake to implement a safeguard against that.

Tinfoil hat?

Need I say more?

C&C

[koutkeu]

I think they played too much command and conquer. Long live the ion canon!

Re:Could be a tremendously capable tool, but....

[Anonymous Coward]

'a platform in geosynchronous orbit bigger than the international space station and capable of beaming 5-10 megawatts of power to a receiving station on the ground.'

The report's author was heard saying "That's not a taser. THIS is a taser!"

The ACLU was not available for comment, due to an unexplained fire at their headquarters.

Hmmmm.

[burtosis]

Yea - and the best part is, from that height, we humans look like ants!

Man it sure is bright out today...

Re:Could be a tremendously capable tool, but....

[shmackie]

Ion Cannon ready

Re:Not a bad idea

[complete loony]

"hey, we need some more power to run our iPods."

"sure thing, realigning the transmitter."

"A little further to the north."

"Ok."

"AAAARRRR, it burns, it burns. Perfect."

Re:Could be a tremendously capable tool, but....

[fractoid]

But if it's geosynchronous it'd be hard for them to hit any of the usual targets.

Isn't this where someone chimes in with "of course the government won't care because they will use it on dissidents within their own country"?

Re:I'll tell them what I want...

[NecroPuppy]

Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

Re:Not a bad idea

[pintpusher]

Do not look at transmitter with remaining eye.

Re:Also the Fear of Where the Money Comes From

[StikyPad]

I vote we build huge photovoltaic rings around our planet perpendicular to the sun, then we can collect energy AND look almost as cool as Saturn.

Re:Could be a tremendously capable tool, but....

[Xonstantine]

I'm curious, do you have any examples of the US "playing its cards right" in any foreign policy matters?

Sure, the Louisiana Purchase and the purchase of Alaska!

Re:American Agri-business Versus DOD

[Anonymous Coward]

1. The military has more political might than the farmers.

2. Coca-Cola only dumped sugar in your country, in most of the rest of the world it still tastes good.

yeah!

[commodoresloat]

Or they could direct the megawatt beam at things other then a power collector.....

Like maybe a house full of jiffy-pop?

Re:American Agri-business Versus DOD

[navtal]

What if they use it to make popcorn?

Re:American Agri-business Versus DOD

[FlyingSquidStudios]

We have those in the U.S. too, but we call them 'cans.'

but isn't all solar power....

[Sfing_ter]

But isn't all solar power space based?