Skeeter-Zapping Laser Entrepreneur Turns Sights on Space Power

Sweet. Can't wait for this to come.

still contributing to global warming though...?

Sounds like something out of Star Wars :) but it is a good idea... although, what would happen to a bird or a plane flying trough the laser beam?

Ivan Malagurski

Should not contribute to global warming when the satelite is between the Earth and sun. It will merely concentrate a large area of light on a small target - good for the solar cell aimed at, with minimal dimming to the surrounding area (think of how a magnifying glass can take an area of light, intensify it to ant-frying power, and only cast a small degree of shade to the surrounding area).

In other words, it will just be taking solar radiation headed to us already, and concentrate where it lands - thus creating greater solar power potential in one area while actually cooling other areas (for a break even on total energy absorbed globally).

Now, if the satelites were not between us and the sun, then they would be effectively increasing the surface area of the Earth in relation to it's solar absorption. That would warm the Earth, if only in a minor way. Of course, if that was an issue, you could always balance the heat by launching solar shades equal to your solar collectors.

The size of the Earth, however, and the potential energy herein contained, dwarfs any short term risks of increase solar absorption from orbiting lasers, much like trying to burn the state of Flordia with that magnifying glass.

We need a giant white sheet hovering above our planet. multiples of them spanning miles, to block the sun enough that light still gets through but not as much so that we don't get so hot. then close them up and when it starts getting cold, and maybe that can give us time to work on the real problem. There we go, problem stalled. I wish childish ideas like these could work flawlessly rather than some other problem arising. Does it really hurt to consider it though. Maybe I'll make billions and spend it all doing this without considering consequences.

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"can deliver a kilowatt of power over a quarter of a mile"

That's more than a little hazardous. Class 3a lasers can damage eyes in a few seconds -- their output is less than 5 milliwatts.

I'm guessing that if you get in the way of these guys, you could easily get some severe skin burns -- if not something worse.

The beam would be focused on a panel of collecting cells not to people at all. Planes could pass the beam in fractions of a second and that would not interrupt anything.

I wouldn't suggest flying planes through these beams, regardless of how quick. Do it too many times, might cause longterm damage. People staring out the windows, could have reactions. I would rather expend the little extra fuel to make sure not to fly through the beams, just in case.

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