this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2026
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Science Memes

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[–] chunes@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (13 children)

Still don't understand how this could possibly generate energy.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (11 children)

the power plant is in space and beams energy to the dish.

[–] chunes@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (8 children)

Right, but like... whatever you're doing in space is going to be more cost effective to do on earth. Not to mention the insane amount of energy lost to the atmosphere

[–] vithigar@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Unless you really need to optimise for land use. An arbitrarily large solar array in space could transmit to a fairly small collector in the surface.

As for losing power to atmospheric attenuation, high frequency microwaves will pass right through most everything that would scatter visible light. Clouds, dust, etc wouldn't really impede it.

I won't say it's not a silly idea, because it is. It's fun to think about though.

[–] EvilHankVenture@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

You could also have a constellation of satellites with area greater than the surface of the earth. It's not that silly of an idea.

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