User:Super Quantum immortal/Incremental space solar power station

(fix the formating latter)

Incremental space solar power station The idea is to launch in to space very simple reflectors. They would simply reflect the light to the earths surface for use. This is not just a normal space mirror, one of the uses would be electricity production. The rational, is to minimize as much as possible what is send in to space. The normal space solar station require the launch of huge amounts of complex and fragile equipment. At later stages a microwave production unit could be launched.

The proposed reflector, should be thin and light, but also easily recyclable in orbit. Any launch of material should be usable for centuries and centuries. The ultra thin composite space mirrors would not do, i haven't look at it, but i doubt they would last more then some years. The best option is to use a simple metal alloy in the form of sheets. Simple aluminum foil comes in my mind, more exotic and expensive stuff are not excluded of course. These sheets should last decades as is. When too damaged, they will be simply remelted in to sheets in orbit by remotely controlled maintenance drones. In contrast, recycling solar panels is too complicated, and don't last more then 30 years any way.

Launch is greatly simplified. They can be send as sheets, in very compact storage, and taking in to account aerodynamic requirements. Alternatively, they can be send as ingots, and be remelted in to shape in orbit by a simple remotely controlled robot. They can be launched extremely brutally with canons(they promise 100€/kg), by small pieces. Using a great number of canons and projectiles, should drive costs down by economies of scale. Solar panels in contrast are fragile and need to be packaged carefully.

These reflectors can be used immediately, even before the whole station is finished. They can reflect sun light, for heat and light in cities. Already, solar panels there will get a small boost. At later stages, a concentrated beam can be redirected to a concentrating solar power station, somewhere in a desertic location.

Direct efficiency will be poor, but this would contrast with very low construction cost. Must compare one use solar panels, with infinitely recyclable aluminum foil. Important efficiency drop is during transmission through the atmosphere. As a compensation, the reflective area must be much bigger, for same power on the ground. Even 1 Km² of aluminum foil, doesn't weight that much. To avoid bad local meteorological conditions, a constellation of reflectors can be used. The light will be reflected to a choice of several earth installations. The light could be reflected multiple times in space, before it is reflected to a suitable earth station. When the power of concentrated light is justifiably big, a microwave production unit can be added to the system in orbit. The trick is, that we can put of launching it until very late.

Maintenance will be very simple, the structure it self will be very simple, a single alloy. They will be no or little mechanical and electronic parts. they will be no single point of failure, the structure keeps working if they are holes in it. Even if heavily damaged, it can be repaired back to a workable state, even if far from 100%. We don't have all or nothing failures. With recycling, the materials could be reused for centuries.