Solar power has long been an option to reduce consumption of coal as Earth’s only energy source, yet what if people could use the intense solar rays directly from space? With the new technology, that is currently being investigated, more solar power than we would be able to grasp on Earth may be at our fingertips. Space enthusiasts believe the space- based-solar collector could obtain about 5 times as much solar power as that on Earth. When solar energy enters our atmosphere it comes in contact with air and is less concentrated then out in space; therefore, scientists believe if they find the correct window for entry they can magnify the solar energy by beaming it down directly from a satellite. However, at the moment this dream is out of reach due to the extreme costs of the satellites and their transportation to space, but hopeful scientists are anticipating the satellites use in a couple of years; the satellites would be specialized to give power to special companies like military and rescue workers. This summer many of the scientists’ dreams may become reality as the first satellite is tested with microwaves to see if it will be ready for the harsh powers of the sun. Dr Sweeny and his team at Astrium will be testing the satellite with a laser to see if the solar power will be able to concentrate as it enters Earth. The beam will be produced by a device called a fibre laser it generates the coherent light of a laser beam in the core of a long, thin optical fibre, which allows the beam produced to be of a higher quality than other laser beams. After the land test the proceeding test will be in space, yet this test will not be available for five more years and the probability that an orbiting power source will be in space in the next couple years is not likely; however, there is a slight possibility that there will be an orbiting power source in 10 years. Who knows maybe the future of complete renewable energy is knocking on Earth’s door.
http://www.economist.com/node/18864324
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