Solar power bases will be built on the Moon

In summary, Dr. David R. Criswell, an Industrial Physicist, presented the concept of a Lunar Solar Power (LSP) System at a Senate hearing on Lunar Exploration in 2003. He proposed using solar arrays on the moon to harness power and beam it to Earth to meet the increasing global demand for electricity. This idea was met with skepticism, as the moon's 14-day light and dark cycle and its distance from Earth were seen as major obstacles. Additionally, the cost and potential risks of beaming microwaves towards Earth were raised. While the idea has potential, it may not be feasible due to practical and economic considerations.
  • #1
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Testimony of Dr. David R. Criswell: Senate Hearing on "Lunar Exploration"

"Testimony of Dr. David R. Criswell at Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space Hearings: "Lunar Exploration"
Thursday, November 6, 2003, 2:30 PM – SR-253 "

By 2050, approximately 10 billion people will live on Earth demanding ~5 times the power now available. By then, solar power from the Moon could provide everyone clean, affordable, and sustainable electric power. No terrestrial options can provide the needed minimum of 2 kWe/person or at least 20 terawatts globally.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=10926
 
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  • #2
What is this guy a Dr. of?

The moon is a horrible place for solar power arrays. 14 days light, 14 days dark. Only 14 days of being able to beam the power to Earth, assuming you can gimbal the beamer a full 180 degrees, and those days don't even correspond to the 14 days of light.

For pete's sake, if you're going to spend the money to build a extraplanetary solar array, put it in a 61 degree inclination, sun-synchronous orbit. Save yourself some headache with the engineering problems...
 
  • #3
Originally posted by enigma
What is this guy a Dr. of?

The moon is a horrible place for solar power arrays. 14 days light, 14 days dark. Only 14 days of being able to beam the power to Earth, assuming you can gimbal the beamer a full 180 degrees, and those days don't even correspond to the 14 days of light.

For pete's sake, if you're going to spend the money to build a extraplanetary solar array, put it in a 61 degree inclination, sun-synchronous orbit. Save yourself some headache with the engineering problems...

Dr. Crisswell is an Industrial Physicist, Enigma.

Here's a better site that goes further in depth of his LSP Program from getting solar cells from the moon: http://www.physicscentral.com/news/news-02-5.html .

In the article Criswell proposes a Lunar Solar Power (LSP) System, using arrays of solar cells on the lunar surface to beam energy back to Earth. Criswell estimates that the 10 billion people living on Earth in 2050 will require 20 Terawatts (TW) of power. The Moon receives 13,000 TW of power from the sun. Criswell suggests that harnessing just 1% of the solar power and directing it toward Earth could replace fossil fuel power plants on Earth.
 
  • #4
Greetings !

This sounds like a totally unreal idea. It will cost many many
times more than nuclear power, not to mention that
by 2050 we'll barely have the first manned bases on the
Moon while back on Earth we're likely to harness
nuclear fusion by then.

Live long and prosper.
 
  • #5
Did you see that the ITER international fusion collaboration has won the highest priority on the new US science budget?
 
  • #6
Nope, but I agree that it's a good investment.
Personally, though I'm no expert, I'd use a bit less money
or maybe the same amount but concentrate less on propotypes
and more on theoretical designs of new and better reactor concepts.
I mean plasma dynamics is a very complex subject indeed
ant there's a lot to learn about other aspects like power conversion
for example. And yet, these propotypes won't yield effective nuclear
fusion even if brought to perfection. We need new types of designes
as well as better materials like more powerfull supermagnets
and new design concepts for plasma flow geometries.

Live long and prosper.
 
  • #7
Originally posted by Jeebus
The Moon receives 13,000 TW of power from the sun.
Thats nice but the Earth receives far more than that. Solar power plants on Earth would be far superior in cost and capability to anything we could put on the moon.

Dr. or not, what he's suggesting is a terrible idea.
 
  • #8
The main disadvantage of the moon is that it's far away.

Its two main advantages are that it has no atmosphere and that it does have gravity.

Solar power stations on Earth suffer from atmospheric absorption and scattering of sunlight.

Solar power satellites in near Earth orbit suffer from having to construct and maintain complex machinery in zero g.

So the moon as a solar power base isn't a terrible idea right out of the box; it's more a matter of weighing costs and benefits.
 
  • #9
Well I am not engineer but i have 2 main things that come to mind..

1) how much energy will it take to convert this energy into,... energy that can be 'transported' magically away to another place...

2) I've had this idea in my own mind for years for earth. irreguardless of wether Earth is inneficient because of the atmosphere or not it still seemed like a good idea at the time the only problem is..

Realistate.

I seriously doubt anyone is going to mass produce solar panels to cover an entire celestial body just to try and get what is probably a limited fraction of the total energy that is hitting it.

Until we reach a place within our society where material possessions and money are no longer conscerns of ours (star trek: federation.. blah blah) then businessman/women and governments are going to be more concerned with things like plastering the moons surface with gambling casinos, resorts, vacations spots.. that's my prediction for the future...

If not they'll always fall back on the critically acclaimed weapons of mass destruction.. filling the skies with new and ingenious ways of blowing everything up!

MythioS
 
  • #10
Hi everyone. This idea is good in theory, but I can't see it happening. Also my worst fear is the beaming the microwaves towards Earth bit. What if something goes wrong and its beamed some place else?
 

1. What is the purpose of building solar power bases on the Moon?

Solar power bases would provide a sustainable and renewable source of energy for future lunar missions and potential human settlements on the Moon. It would also reduce the reliance on Earth for energy resources.

2. How will the solar power bases be built on the Moon?

The solar power bases would be built using advanced construction techniques and materials that can withstand the harsh lunar environment. Robots and automated systems would likely be used for construction to reduce the risk to human workers.

3. Will the solar power bases be able to generate enough energy on the Moon?

Yes, the solar power bases would be designed to maximize energy production and storage. The Moon's lack of atmosphere and long periods of sunlight would make it an ideal location for solar power generation.

4. How will the energy from the solar power bases be transmitted back to Earth?

The energy would likely be converted to a form that can be transmitted wirelessly, such as microwaves or lasers. Transmitter stations on the Moon's surface would beam the energy back to Earth where it can be received and converted for use.

5. What are the potential challenges of building solar power bases on the Moon?

The main challenges would include the high costs and technical difficulties of transporting materials and equipment to the Moon, as well as the extreme conditions on the lunar surface such as temperature changes and the risk of lunar dust damaging the solar panels.

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