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Japan Plans $21B Space Power Plant

Posted September 02, 2009 8:07 AM

From Slashdot:

Japan has announced plans to send a $21 billion solar power generator into space that will be capable of producing one gigawatt of energy, or enough to power 294,000 homes. The project recently received support from Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and IHI Corp, who are now teaming up in the race to develop new technology within four years that can beam electricity back to Earth without the use of cables. Japan hopes to test a small solar satellite decked out with solar panels by the year 2015.

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PWSlack
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#1

Re: Japan Plans $21B Space Power Plant

09/02/2009 8:10 AM

Given that land is at a premium in Japan, would it not make more sense to float it in the Pacific Ocean instead?

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Anonymous Poster
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Japan Plans $21B Space Power Plant

09/02/2009 10:51 PM

I thought their "space" was the same size as ours.

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PWSlack
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#4
In reply to #2

Re: Japan Plans $21B Space Power Plant

09/03/2009 6:40 AM

It depends upon who "we" are.

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Randall
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#3

Re: Japan Plans $21B Space Power Plant

09/03/2009 4:12 AM

I thought we'd decided that this was a total no no. If you lose control it's a catastrophe; if the wrong people get control it's a weapon.

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U NO WHO
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#5

Re: Japan Plans $21B Space Power Plant

09/03/2009 11:49 AM

Until they have the technology to safely, efficiently and cost effectively transmit the power back to earth it is not a plan, it is just a dream!

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