[quote]Scientists were able to transmit microwave energy in a directed beam to a target 170 feet away. This may not seem like a long distance but the experiment means the technology could be scaled up effectively according to news reports. The eventual outgrowth of the technology could lead to solar energy being collected in space and then beamed down to Earth.[/quote] paraphrased.
This is huge, if solar energy could be collected in space, then beamed to earth, we will finally surpass our need for much of fossil fuels. The implications of this could change the world. Like a huge demand for people in the space industry.
I'm sad that its Japanese scientists though. It's just a reflection of how the u.s. poor reinvestment in the education of our youth will be reflected in the future.
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[b] [/b]
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US looked at this a while back, it fell to two major options big and small. Big would be a massive energy production plant in space geo synch that would use a massive microwave transmitter to send power home. Negatives were billions in cost that no one wants to pay, publics fear of a giant microwave death beam, and strategic limitation in warfare since most countries would knock it out of orbit with far cheaper weapons. Small was hundreds of small satellites that would beam power back using lasers. Negatives were low power income per large cost of installation, publics fear of death lasers from space, crowding near space with even more objects (as well as fear of small object collisions), and power loss due to attenuation in the atmosphere. Truth is that the US has had the capability of either of these options for 20 years (why do people always assume we are behind in the tech race?) but the political/financial/military gains have been found to be difficult. Believe me, the US would love to become oil independent, in fact the fastest growing energy production type in the US is renewable energy. But until we become a more civil world as a whole megascale projects like this are just unfeasible.
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We've had the technology to go green and get off fossil fuels for a good thirty years now. Technology isn't what's holding us back. What's holding us back is the oil companies being the richest companies in the world and lobbying world governments to keep fossil fuels around. This article is really cool, though.
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Like an earlier post said, I hope accidents don't end up happening that burn people to death, but that's pretty cool. Maybe we'll actually start using it and cut back on oil and gasoline, also. Probably not, but that would be cool to think.
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Pretty cool, but I know a guy who was doing this with lasers 10 years ago and that didn't come to anything.
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>calls u.s. Education system poor >me is u.s. kid >didn't understand anything in op's post
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This is pretty cool. But the term microwave makes me think they are going to use it to help but end up cooking us. Also science and medicine have no borders.
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I would rather the start designing this
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Wow sounds really good but I would be to scared of being cooked in my house by microwaves. And how would you aim this energy from space to single spot on earth with the satellite moving so fast
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Science is lies
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Great stuff. Tesla would be happy.
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Hail Science!
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Rocket powered dildos!?
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I think the bigger question here is.. can I use this beam to make some popcorn while I'm at the park? Cuz that would be awesome.
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We don't need science if we have god. Jesus was born in Emerica for a reason.
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Edited by Britton: 3/14/2015 7:25:55 PMBump for [b]science[/b]
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Edited by Britton: 3/14/2015 11:59:21 PM[b][/b]
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The chinks have us covered
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Bump for science.
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To bad the us landed on the moon, its sad that england never got that chance. Its probably because their education sucks balls.. Its to bad the us sent so many rockets into space, basically inventing and normalizing space travel in the first place. If only the russians had tried harder in history class.. Its to bad the us invented the snuggy now the rest of the world will freeze because of their inferior education systems. Oh.. all of those statements were stupid? Guess its my inferior education then.. damn i should have been Japanese. Realistically this tech is gonna be sent to orbit by american companies or NASA and transmit electricity generated by solar panels made in america or tiwan. Guess japan needs to catch up to tiwan..
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All this is is solar energy and mirrors. Why should I be impressed?
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Why are you talking shit about the U.S.? If you don't like it here then get the f u c k out. God damn Benedict Arnold piece of shit.
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Yeah another country created something... U.S=worst piece of shit ever
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Well i can now get a tan while inside Yes
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You should know that Japan is the suicide Capitol of the world. Their education is great-but it's pretty stressful.