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Japan To Shoot Lasers From The Moon, Solve Energy Crisis

Shoot lasers at the moon, solve Earth’s energy crisis. Boom. Done. Next global problem please, we’re on a roll. This is the statement I wish Japan’s Shimizu Corp. had released about their new energy plan, but alas they’ve simply just announced the details of a scheme to harvest solar power from panels on the moon. But, what a plan it is.

Robots will build a belt of solar panels to encircle the moon. The panels will gather up energy from the sun, convert it to electricity and then channel the electricity by cable around to the Earth-facing side of the moon. From there the power will be zapped to large receivers on Earth’s surface using lasers. Why did it take so long for someone to propose this?

The Luna Ring plan, which was introduced in Tokyo, is only the most recent in a long line of envelope pushing, seemingly kooky ideas to come from Shimizu Corp. But, the company seems serious about their plan proposing that the Luna Ring could begin construction by the year 2035.

Judging from the amount of technology needed (a working robot colony on the moon?) and the financial drain attempting such a project would entail, we won’t be holding our breath for this one. Although, because the moon already drives ocean tides the idea of finding even more uses for the moon isn’t completely crazy. Shimizu’s plan might seem like something straight out of a comedy routine, but its not like they’re trying to blow up the moon or anything. Right?

(via CNN Go)

  • http://www.awkwardengineer.com AwkwardEngineer

    Does anyone remember those Microwave powerplants in SimCity 2000?  When the beam of power from the satellite lost alignment, it zapped the whole city?

    Just sayin…

  • http://takeshita-kenji.myopenid.com/ takeshita_kenji

    I remember them.  That was awesome!

  • Anonymous

    “Harvest Moon?”

  • mysteryman

    This is my tought about this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVHpL9yutLg&feature=related

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Z4CJFSWSF6NJQ2QO56FEBHKHJM K

    Considering the low-efficiency of solar-panels I can’t imagine this being practical any time soon.  At *most* the energy harvested *might* offset the cost of getting them to the moon and then what are we left with?  Moon pollution?

  • Skeptical 1

    The prohibitive technology development costs, logistics and implementation requirements mean that this is unlikely to be more than just a pipe dream.
     Very old, but cool idea though.

  • Anonymous

    That’s no moon…

  • http://www.smallfish-bigpond.com/ Kerensky97

    Yeah, I can think of a moon sized object shooting superlasers at planets that didn’t work out so well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Justin-Minton/100000299076045 Justin Minton

    anyone else think a cable to the moon sounds like a dumb idea? lol


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