Alternative+Article+Four

Bobby Schneider Oil Politics: Oil Alternatives Project Article Annotation Four

Brian Berger, after graduating from Ohio University, has worked for Inside Washington Publishers and Solganik and Associates, and currently is employed as Deputy Editor at Space News. His general focus of writing is based on defense and space, and recently Berger has put effort into writing about obtaining energy from space.

In one of Berger’s articles, entitled “Report Urges U.S. to Pursue Space-Based Solar Power,” the support and requirements for and potential of space-based solar power are revealed. A report from the U.S. Pentagon, called ‘Space-Based Solar Power as an Opportunity for Strategic Security,’ has encouraged the use of solar power from space “to provide an essentially inexhaustible supply of clean energy” (Berger, 2007, page 1). After half a year of research by businessmen and women, scientists, legal experts, and government officials, an announcement was made by the National Space Security Space Office insisting that the research has offered “positive findings about the feasibility of space-based solar power and its potential to strengthen U.S. national security” (Berger, 2007, page 1). Part of the Pentagon’s report asked for a push for more extensive and elaborate demonstrations, including a geosynchronous platform that could produce a maximum of 10 megawatts and transmit this energy back to Earth. Until something this big becomes a reality, the government and scientists can help to continue awareness of space-based power through “initial proof-of-concept demonstrations” to prove that solar satellites will soon be “a technically and economically viable to [sic] solution to the world’s growing energy needs” (Berger, 2007, page 1). It is hoped that this type of energy can first be used on military bases overseas to help reduce the use of “vulnerable convoys” that supply fuel for the sites, thus making space-based power “a disruptive game changer on the battlefield” (Berger, 2007, page 2). With the Pentagon supporting its development, it is strongly believed that “space-based solar power is closer than ever” and, after reducing costs to gain private sector funding/support and providing proper demonstrations, it is possible that this “could take off within 10 years.” Furthermore, if the government would be willing to “provide the same kind of incentives it offers the nuclear power industry,” space power would be yet another step closer to reaching Earth’s surface (Berger, 2007, page 2). Initially, during the 1970’s NASA felt space solar power was “technically feasible but not economically viable,” but during NASA’s 1990’s “fresh look” project it was learned that “Advances in computing, robotics, solar cell efficiency (currently at 40.7% conversion efficiency), and other technologies helped drive that estimate down. . .” (Berger, 2007, page 3). The cost, both of reusable spacecraft for the numerous launches that will be needed and for commercial use, is also an issue, showing that “There’s a lot of challenges that need to be overcome.” Overall however, “While the upfront costs are steep,” the “potential to meet the world’s future energy needs is huge” (Berger, 2007, page 4).

There are three quotes in this document which best support both the main arguments presented in this article and some key points being made in my project research. One quote is: “It [SBSP] can advance our U.S. and partner security capability and freedom of action and merits significant additional study and demonstration on the part of the United States so we can help either the United States develop this, or allow the commercial sector to step up” (Berger, 2007, page 1). Another quote states that “. . . a single kilometer-wide band of geosynchronous Earth orbit experiences enough solar flux in one year to nearly equal the amount of energy contained within all known recoverable conventional oil reserves on Earth today” (Berger, 2007, page 4). These two quotes provide detail on the potential energy and potential usage of space-based solar power, whereas this third quote explains the need for support by the private sector and government: “. . . the space-based solar power industry could take off within 10 years if the White House and Congress embrace the report’s recommendations by funding a robust demonstration program and provide the same kind of incentives it offers the nuclear power industry” (Berger, 2007, page 2).

This article in particular is great for my research because it provides new information that many other articles did not contain, such as the Pentagon/government support that has built up around the space-power efforts. This document also brings about a sense of reality and makes people think in logical terms by stating that commercial use at this point in time is basically impossible and that space power would have to start small, perhaps on military bases overseas. While the challenges are large, the potential has and always will be there waiting for the right moment to step into the spotlight in what will hopefully be the near future.

__Works Cited__:

Berger, Brian. “Report Urges U.S. to Pursue Space-Based Solar Power.” __Space News__. 12 Oct. 2007. < [] >.

__Past Work and Credentials__:

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