A NASA Satellite that could power the Earth?

NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is working on the idea of a satellite that could power the earth. Dr. Mankins, the leader of the study claims that 'A single solar power satellite would deliver power to on the order of a third of humanity—not all at the same time, but any of that market could, in principle, be addressed,'. He also says that the satellite could be built and launched as early as 2025 depending on funding. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2402141/Plugged-sun-Solar-panel-satellite-beam-THIRD-humanitys-power-Earth-2025-claims-Nasa-engineer.html#ixzz2dohvhMIV
Also see this article/video for a simpler explanationhttp://mashable.com/2013/08/29/nasa-satellite-solar-power/ What are your thoughts about such a project?

1 Answer

1. In my personal opinion, I like the idea of depending on solar energy instead of fossil fuels. But it brings up a whole host of questions. Makes me wonder if there is a need to harvest such energy in space instead of directly on earth. Why can't such investment be found for similar projects right here on Earth in a decentralised way of operations? Is it simply easier to conceptualise such a project in space because it is 'no man's land' or is there a better reason? What about the space junk? :) As you can see, I have more questions than ready answers. But hey, maybe some of you have other ideas?