"Solar in space is nothing new, almost all spacecraft and satellites incorporate solar technology to meet their power requirements" said a NASA spokesperson, "so this is a logical step".
"The Moon measures 37,930,000,000 sq km, research suggests that as little as 500,000 sq km of solar farms could power the entire planet. So powering the US and selling any surplus power shouldn't provide us with too big a challenge" he continued.
The real challenge, it would seem is in transporting the power back to earth from our most famous satellite. "Tesla did it in 1893, so we know it's possible, and NASA has undertaken a lot of research in the area. We're confident we can make it work."
Meanwhile the race is on to be the first to install some moon based solar panels. "This is a very exciting development" said Todd Hammerstein of the Photovoltaics Institute, "we know solar works in space. But how will the contract be let? Will NASA seek to employ the deep knowledge of the accredited builders and electricians of the USA and wider world? Or cut costs by doing a hash-job with their own non-specialist engineers?"
NASA are central to this initiative and are already considering how it will pay 'for itself'. Their spokesperson concluded - "Once we've put the Solar farm on our Moon, the next stage will be to consult with other countries to sell them surplus energy that will quickly pay for the $32,000 bn project."
Whatever happens next, the road to Moon based solar is sure to be a rocky one.
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Location:Circling the Earth
Just in case anyone believes the above, or is from NASA, it's just an April fool's joke.
ReplyDeleteOr is it?