<DrumBeat: June 14, 2009 The Oil Drum DrumBeat: June 15, 2009>

271 comments on Solar Satellite Power with Laser Propulsion and Reusable Launch Vehicle

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Keith Henson on June 15, 2009 - 1:52am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

"Energy is not the only cause of war or scarce resource in the world. What about ideology (cause of most wars)"

I make the case in "Evolutionary Psychology, Memes and the Origin of War" that ideology is the result of anticipated resource shortages rather than a cause.

"and access to metals?"

With loads of energy you can make metals out of country rock.

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Drake on June 15, 2009 - 2:02am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

North Korea (if it wished) has the same access to scarce resources (including energy) as South Korea. Ideology is the only difference between North and South. Extremist ideology has minimal relationship to energy resources. North Korea could easily wipe out your suggested satellite system many times over with their existing technology.

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Keith Henson on June 15, 2009 - 2:14am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Assuming they could (a stretch) and they wiped out a Chinese power sat, how long do you think they would last?

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Drake on June 15, 2009 - 2:27am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

The Chinese would be in cahoots and would have the North Koreans knock out US and European satellites on their behalf. Proxy wars are old.

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Keith Henson on June 15, 2009 - 2:28am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I suppose that's possible. Remind me to have my power sat insured by a Chinese company.

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271 comments on Solar Satellite Power with Laser Propulsion and Reusable Launch Vehicle

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