Dec 31 1972
From The Space Library
Use of solar energy to combat encroaching energy crisis was being examined seriously, Oliver Bell reported in Washington Post article. Solar energy panel had been established in Office of Science and Technology's Energy Research and Development Goals Study and NASA was "actively researching whether it can become involved in the solar energy picture." Solar satellite power station concept developed by Peter E. Glaser of Arthur D. Little, Inc., was being considered. Satellite would circle earth in synchronous orbit at 35 900- ( 22 300-mi) altitude exposed to sun 24 hrs a day. Solar collector- lightweight panel of solar cells-would convert sun's light into electricity, which would then be changed to microwave energy, beamed to earth, collected on antenna, and reconverted into electricity. Other proposals included earth-based system to reflect sun's radiation onto solar furnace and boiler atop 460-m (1500-ft) tower, and system to use steel collecting surfaces with "greenhouse" effect to produce temperatures to 813 K (1004°F). Congress would decide whether Government would fund research into unconventional sources of power. (W Post, 12/31/72)
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