THE VIDEO SHELF · space-based solar power
Power Satellites & Space Based Solar Power
Isaac Arthur explores space-based solar power, in which satellites beam energy down via microwaves to rectennas on Earth. He discusses feasibility, profitability and its role in spurring space colonization.
Why HN readers recommended it
HN commenters recommend it as the best overview of power satellites, with pros and cons beyond the construction cost.
This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.
Video & recommendation details
- Creator / channel
- Isaac Arthur
- Topic
- space-based solar power
- Format
- explainer
- Level
- general
- HN recommenders in dataset
- 2
- HN mentions in dataset
- 5
- Recommendation years in dataset
- 2020–2024
These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.
From the original HN conversations
Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.
Power satellites like this are one of the first great possible ways to put industry in space. We need early economic reasons to get there. Issac Arthur usually has the best overview of topics like this [VIDEO]
mchusma on Hacker News · 2021-02
In A solar panel in space is collecting energy that could be beamed to anywhereSolar panels perform 2x better in space, and also you could beam it down day or night so you don't need to worry as much about storage. [LINK] Edit: re-watching that, the economics doesn't sound great. Edit 2: a more in depth video [VIDEO]
voodootrucker on Hacker News · 2020-12
In The future of electricity is local
Summaries, classifications and recommendation records are from the HackerTube source dataset. Read about this library and its limitations.