This commentary by Arthur R. Woods and Marco C. Bernasconi is a slightly updated version which first appeared in Space News – Oct. 2- 8, 1995 There is no need to list the many challenges facing humanity as it enters the next century. Be they environmental, political, economic or social, the problems are both obvious [...]
The private entity of the Public-Private Partnership will comprise a consortium of strategic partners and investors that will be responsible for setting-up and administering the GEEO, and then managing its research and development programmes. Strategic partners are being sought from companies, organisations and institutions active in the fields of space, electricity supply, mining, robotics, finance [...]
Humanity is at a crossroads: we must decide if we prefer to live and prosper in an energy-rich world, or attempt to survive in an energy poor-one. Finding a viable solution to the impending energy and climate crises confronting humanity is urgently necessary. The fundamental causes of these interrelated issues are the many environmental and [...]
Due to the climate and energy crises, much discussion has focused on the anticipated ‘transition’ from fossil fuels for energy production to cleaner alternative sources of energy. Consequently, terrestrial energy sources such as solar and wind are being deployed at an increasing pace, yet these represent only a small percentage of the current global [...]
The climate and energy crises and the urgent need for sustainable and clean energy have created a ‘window of opportunity’ for energy providers – a window that is also a multi-trillion investment opportunity for Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP). Using data from the 2024 Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, total world energy consumption [...]
In 2020 Astrostrom GmbH responded to two ESA open calls for new mission ideas. In the first call: “What’s Next? New Space Missions and Ideas” Astrostrom’s proposal for an orbital demonstration of Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) was one of several ideas selected from 201 submissions for further evaluation. In response to ESA’s open call: "Clean [...]
As the 21st century unfolds, humanity finds that it needs more room and more resources to sustain its numbers and to maintain its thirst for further development and knowledge. The finite planetary resources that contributed immensely to its present state are being exhausted to unsustainable levels and their uncontrolled use within the biosphere is resulting [...]
Among all of nature’s diverse systems, energy is the principal driver of the increasing complexity of galaxies, stars, planets and life-forms in the expanding universe. Energy flows engendered largely by the expanding cosmos seem to be as universal as anything yet found in nature. Indeed, unlocking Earth's vast energy reserves enabled our species to embark [...]
Here on Earth, human civilization has reached such a point in its development where it has evolved the means to leave its home planet and to begin operating in the environment beyond the atmosphere. Optimistically, this development would enable humanity to utilize this technological capability to harness the infinite resources located off Earth to improve [...]
Last year, Astrostrom GmbH analyzed Switzerland's energy situation based on the "Energy Perspectives 2050+" strategy and identified an Energy Dilemma that will lead to an annual energy deficit of 114 TWh by 2050 - equivalent to 15 nuclear power plants the size of Gösgen. As the Sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always [...]
