Alternative+Article+One

Bobby Schneider Oil Politics: Oil Alternatives Project Article Annotation One

In article from the National Space Society, entitled “About Space Solar Power,” the facts about this space-based solar power (SBSP) form of energy, both good and bad, are revealed in detail. The National Space Society, founded in the mid-1970’s, is an educational organization known for its efforts in allowing the average person’s voice to be heard when it comes to space-related issues. Since its start, the society has quickly expanded throughout the United States, as well as the rest of the world.

As previously stated, the main point of this article is to provide the reader with some basic knowledge about the ups, downs, and other important facts involved in the use of space-based solar power. The first main section of this article describes the solar power’s potential, stating that “Space solar power can solve our energy and greenhouse gas emissions problems. . . Space solar power can provide large quantities of energy to each and every person on Earth with very little environmental impact” (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, Page 1). Seeing as the Sun is expected to have up to 5 billion years of life (burning), it is “. . . by far the largest potential energy source available, dwarfing all others combined” and has the ability to “. . . supply nearly all the electrical needs of our planet.” There is also hope that, due to the excess amount of electrical power that this energy source may provide, further development can be made in fuel cells and batteries as well, giving this research multiple purposes (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 1). The second section of this article discusses the many advantages of using space-based solar power. Aside from ensuring little to no greenhouse gas emissions, no use of valuable fresh water or farmland, and promising no hazardous waste products, space solar power is also one of the few constant alternatives, providing energy every hour of every day (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 1, 2). Furthermore, using space energy will reduce both our dependence on foreign oil and chances of terrorist attacks targeted on our energy supplies, as well as boost job creation in America. A third section makes a brief note about the only major downside to the idea of space power: the cost (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 2). Luckily, in an effort to make the price seem like less of a problem, one can think about the cost in terms of how much other projects would cost in America. The money needed for space power is “. . . much smaller than American military presence in the Persian Gulf or the cost of global warming. . .” and therefore is worth the investment (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 2). The final section covers the advancements and requirements needed to make this idea a reality including: cheap and green launch vehicles to transport materials into space, developments in space-related building and operations, and the creation of a sufficient laser or microwave to transmit the energy back to Earth. This project shows great potential and research is even being done to consider the possibility of saving money by using materials from the moon, thus reducing the launch costs even further (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 2, 3).

This article, though full of important facts and tips, contains three quotes which I feel best support my research, as well as the critical import of the text itself. One of the first sentences within the article notes the crucial “going-green” aspect to the space solar power concept: “Space solar power can provide large quantities of energy to each and every person on Earth with very little environmental impact” (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 1). The second quote, which was partially mentioned in the previous paragraph, declares the incredible potential for power that the sun has: “As Earth receives only one part in 2.3 billion of the Sun’s output, space solar power is by far the largest potential energy source available, dwarfing all others combined. . . . [it] can supply nearly all the electrical needs of our planet” (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 1). “The cost of space solar power development always needs to be compared to the cost of //not// developing space solar power” (“About Space Solar Power,” 2011, page 2). This quote helps to greatly lighten the mood about the primary downside to solar power from space. Rather than complaining about high costs, think about how much cheaper this actually is in relation to our current courses of action needed to ensure a continuous energy supply for America.

The evidence presented in this document is of great value to my research because, in all honesty, I did not know that much about my research topic to begin with. This type of article, though not about specific projects, offers a general scope on the research that I am focusing on by providing many important facts and key points, and introducing me to the pros and cons that exist within the research currently being conducted. This article could be seen as a foundation story off of which my project can grow and evolve/expand.

__Works Cited__:

“About Space Solar Power.” __National Space Society__. Last Modified 4 April 2011. < [] >.

__Past Work and Credentials__:

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