FACT

Dear Editor

21^st Century Electricity Generation – the truth

I very much doubt if any of our so-called political representatives are aware that generating power from space in the 21^st Century is now a reality and commercially viable – proving to be approximately a quarter the cost of horrendously expensive, potentially dangerous and dirty nuclear fission generation.

   Indeed, I wonder how many know that electrical generation from space is no longer science fiction now that SpaceX Starship launch costs are just 1% when compared to 20 years ago. To be sure, Starship is a two-stage super heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by SpaceX. It is the largest and most powerful rocket ever flown. Starship’s main objective is to lower launch costs significantly via economies of scale. This will be achieved by reusing both rocket stages, increasing payload mass to orbit, increasing launch frequency, creating a mass-manufacturing pipeline, and adapting it to a wide range of space missions.

   Misguided and Misinformed opponents of orbital space stations will claim the microwave emissions from such power stations will be akin to Death Rays, when the simple truth being that if you stepped into a ray you would experience emissions about a quarter of that of the midday Sun. But of course, the gas, oil, wind and terrestrial solar industries will not appreciate the competition to their very lucrative markets, and no doubt vigorously oppose the technology.

   Government should stop wasting billions on fickle countryside industrialising, weather dependent wind and terrestrial solar farms, and start a programme for electricity from space – which can be achievable within a decade – in the meanwhile reliance should be on the efficient, reliable, cheap and quick to build gas-fired power stations of the CCGT variety, supported by hydro and hybrid tidal schemes.

Dave Haskell

Brithdir

Cardigan