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quettil t1_ixd7wwc wrote

Reply to comment by chrisdh79 in The ESA aims to make 24/7 space-based solar energy harvesting a reality | Solaris program will study space-based solar power amid rising energy concerns by chrisdh79

> in a fixed location over the Earth that would be hit by the Sun 24/7.

What part of the Earth is hit by the Sun 24/7?

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toodroot t1_ixe0eq2 wrote

GEO satellites are in constant sunlight except around the equinoxes, when they are in the shadow of the Earth for up to 72 minutes per day.

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quettil t1_ixe4p27 wrote

So not 24/7?

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toodroot t1_ixeaa6l wrote

Correct.

If you think about what the equinox means, you can understand why this happens only near the equinox.

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sisco98 t1_ixdce1v wrote

Without reading the article, my guess would be high above the North Pole

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unclepaprika t1_ixdpni2 wrote

Tell me again how geostationary orbits work over the poles?

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stewake t1_ixespx9 wrote

They rotate in place and fire their engines 24/7. ESA will need to develop a solar based engine to meet the demand of polar geostationary orbit /s

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Jobotics t1_ixgcbqx wrote

Hypothetically speaking, you could put solar panels on a helium balloon and float it above the horizon at the north pole and gain the advantage of being in sunlight 24/7 and not have to convert it to microwaves to beam the energy back to earth.

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Hateitwhenbdbdsj t1_ixdu2ez wrote

Imagine an orbit going over both poles with the solar panels perpendicular and facing the sun

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Simoxs7 t1_ixf0obc wrote

But thats not a geo stationary orbit, meaning it‘d appear stationary from the surface.

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