(position F1), the first Powersat (position P1) can begin transmitting power. When Freedom is half-way through the eclipse period (position F2), the next Powersat (position P2) will take over and direct its beam at Freedom, continuing to supply power until the station is back in sunlight again. These Powersats would provide the station with power only during the eclipse period. It might be difficult to provide 100% coverage during the few weeks around the Spring and Autumn equinoxes. However, for most of the rest of the year full coverage should be possible. This high-orbit Powersat concept is dubbed the Laser Solution because using lasers is the only possible approach for long-distance space-based power supply. Essentially, distances in excess of 12,000 km preclude the use of microwaves simply because the size of the Powersat antenna and Freedom rectenna would be enormous - on the order of several kilometres across. Although lasers are the only solution, this does not mean they are technically feasible. Using a high-power laser beam to routinely beam power to a small moving target situated 12.000 km away is clearly a rather more ambitious undertaking than that of the Microwave Solution. Interestingly, if it were to be practical, essentially the same approach could be used to provide the first large- scale experiments in beaming power directly to Earth (assuming the laser was of suitable wavelength). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Laser Solution Assuming the laser solution was technically and operationally feasible, the principal advantages for Freedom and the Powersat would include : For Freedom • The propellant needs remain roughly the same even though the user power has effectively doubled,
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