Obama energy plan could include solar satellites

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_energy_plan_could_include_solar_1212.html

trying to make sure we have the capability to place and maintain them becuase they don't "like" him...

:shrug:

Where do I start with the stupidity of that idea...

Building it would be hugely expensive.
Launching it would be hugely expensive.
Maintaining it would be hugely expensive.
And to top it off, beaming gigawatts of power through the atmosphere would most likely be an environmental nightmare.

Put the panels on planet earth, it's cheaper.

http://www.acq.osd.mil/nsso/solar/SBSPInterimAssesment0.1.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_satellite
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.rss.html?pid=30044

I agree! Let's construct massive solar plants here on Earth, today.

However, keep your mind open about the future.

For example, what if we could carry parts up in http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast07sep_1.htm">an elevator? What if that elevator could be used as a power conduit?

SSP and fusion research are both important for the future.

As in "viable in the near future" rather than requiring all sorts of
expensive & exotic SF solutions or it will just be seen as "yet another
NASA boondoggle" and cut by the next administration.

> I agree! Let's construct massive solar plants here on Earth, today.

Go for it. Use the money to improve existing technologies as well as
deploying the best we currently have.

> However, keep your mind open about the future.

"Keeping your mind open" is one thing, designing an energy policy for the
incoming administration around wishful thinking and non-existant technology
is another.

> For example, what if we could carry parts up in an elevator?
> What if that elevator could be used as a power conduit?

"What if" indeed. It would be very nice wouldn't it? All we need are the
materials, the technology, the money and the desire to spend it on items
with zero return in the lifetimes of the payers.

There again, what if conservation became the right thing to encourage
rather than conspicuous waste? What if Obama decided to actively reduce
coal burning in the USA? What if he sets a leading example by putting
solar thermal panels and PV on all government buildings?

These "what if"s are i) immediately implementable & ii) completely under
Obama's control so he should focus on them rather than some dweeb's wet dream
for 2150. Now whether he will or not remains to be seen.