(Image Credit: NASA)
There has recently been increased talk of developing space based solar power SBSP, an idea that has been studied for many years. Essentially, giant solar panels would be put into orbit that would "beam" power back to Earth. It is thought that at least 10% of the United States' energy could be supplied by space based solar power within about 40 years, maybe less. The U.S. Department of Defense is showing interest in the plan. With Earth's population growing, energy supplies shrinking, and fear of a climate change crisis on hand, having a sustainable and self-reliant source of energy is critical.
It looks like a prototype might be tested in as few as 5 years - a trial could be done relatively easily from the International Space Station. But what does this have to do with Mars? With new technology proposals like the Photonic Laser Thruster that could send humans to Mars within a week, it is easy to get excited about the possibility of a manned mission in the foreseeable future. But the cost would be so high and the average person would see little or no return for the cost. Energy is a big deal right now, and if we already have most or all of the technology to put solar panels in space, why not? For practicality purposes, it looks like space based solar panels are probably going to take priority over sending humans to Mars.
It makes sense though. Space columnist Al Globus gives an excellent argument for the development of the SBSP:
"To get there, however, will cost hundreds of billions of dollars in R&D and infrastructure development - just what America is good at. And you know something, we're spending that kind of money, not to mention blood, on America's Persian Gulf military presence today, and gas went over $3/gallon anyway. In addition, we may end up spending even more to deal with global warming, at least in the worst-case scenarios. Expensive as it is, [solar satellite power] may be the best bargain we've ever had."
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