Currently, quite a lot of attention is paid to the use of alternative sources of all kinds of resources. For example, humanity has long been engaged in the development of obtaining energy from renewable substances and materials, such as the heat of the planet's core, tides, sunlight, and so on. In the article below, the climate and space resources of the world will be considered. Their main advantage is that they are renewable. Therefore, their repeated use is quite effective, and the reserves can be considered limitless.
First category
Climate resources are traditionally understood as the energy of the sun, wind and so on. This term defines various inexhaustible natural sources. And this category got its name as a result of the fact that the resources included in its composition are characterized by certain features of the climate.region. In addition, a subcategory is also distinguished in this group. It is called agro-climatic resources. Air, heat, moisture, light and other nutrients are the main determining factors influencing the possibility of developing such sources.
Space resources
In turn, the second of the previously presented categories combines inexhaustible sources that are outside our planet. The well-known energy of the Sun can be attributed to the number of such. We will consider it in more detail.
Uses
To begin with, let's characterize the main directions of development of solar energy as a component of the "Space Resources of the World" group. Currently, there are two fundamental ideas. The first is to launch a special satellite equipped with a significant number of solar panels into low Earth orbit. By means of photocells, the light falling on their surface will be converted into electrical energy, and then transmitted to special receiver stations on Earth. The second idea is based on a similar principle. The difference lies in the fact that space resources will be collected by means of solar batteries, which will be installed on the equator of the Earth's natural satellite. In this case, the system will form the so-called "lunar belt".
Energy Transfer
Of course, space natural resources, like any other, are considered ineffectivewithout the appropriate development of the industry. And this requires efficient production, which is impossible without high-quality transportation. Therefore, considerable attention must be paid to the methods of transferring energy from solar panels to the Earth. Currently, two main methods have been developed: by means of radio waves and a light beam. However, at this stage, a problem arose. Wireless transmission of energy to Earth must safely deliver space resources. The device, which in turn will carry out such actions, should not have a destructive effect on the environment and the organisms living in it. Unfortunately, the transmission of converted electrical energy in a certain frequency range is capable of ionizing the atoms of substances. Thus, the disadvantage of the system is that space resources can only be transmitted on a fairly limited number of frequencies.
Pros and cons
Like any other technology, the one presented earlier has its own features, advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages is that space resources outside the near-Earth space will be much more available for use. For example, solar energy. Only 20-30% of the total light emitted by our star reaches the surface of the planet. At the same time, the photocell, which will be located in orbit, will receive more than 90%. In addition, among the advantages that the space resources of the world possess, one can single out durabilitystructures used. Such a circumstance is possible due to the fact that outside the planet there is neither the atmosphere nor the influence of the destructive action of oxygen and its other elements. Nevertheless, the space resources of the Earth have a significant number of shortcomings. One of the first is the high cost of production and transportation facilities. The second can be considered inaccessibility and complexity of operation. In addition, a significant number of specially trained personnel will also be required. The third drawback of such systems can be considered significant losses in the transmission of energy from the space station to the Earth. According to experts, the above-described transportation will take up to 50 percent of all generated electricity.
Important Features
As mentioned earlier, the technology in question has some distinctive characteristics. However, they are the ones that determine the availability of space energy. We list the most important of them. First of all, it should be noted the problem of finding a satellite station in one place. As in all other laws of nature, the rule of action and reaction will work here. Consequently, on the one hand, the pressure of solar radiation flows will affect, and on the other hand, the electromagnetic radiation of the planet. The initial position of the satellite will have to be supported by climatic and space resources. Communication between the station and receivers on the surface of the planet must be maintained at a high level andprovide the required degree of safety and accuracy. This is the second feature that characterizes the use of space resources. The third traditionally refers to the efficient performance of photocells and electronic components even under difficult conditions, for example, at high temperatures. The fourth feature, which currently does not allow for the general availability of the above technologies, is the rather high cost of both launch vehicles and space power plants themselves.
Other features
Due to the fact that the resources that are currently available on Earth are mostly non-renewable, and their consumption by mankind, on the contrary, increases over time, with the approach of the moment of complete disappearance of the most important resources, people are increasingly thinking about use of alternative energy sources. They also include space reserves of substances and materials. However, in addition to the possibility of efficient extraction from the energy of the Sun, humanity is considering other equally interesting possibilities. For example, the development of deposits of substances valuable for earthlings can be carried out on cosmic bodies located in our solar system. Let's take a closer look at some of them.
Moon
Flying it has long ceased to be aspects of science fiction. At present, the satellite of our planet is being surfed by research probes. It was thanks to them that humanity learned that the lunarThe surface has a composition similar to that of the earth's crust. Consequently, the development of deposits of such valuable substances as titanium and helium is possible there.
Mars
There are also many interesting things on the so-called "red" planet. According to studies, the crust of Mars is much more rich in pure metal ores. Thus, the development of deposits of copper, tin, nickel, lead, iron, cob alt and other valuable substances may begin on it in the future. In addition, it is possible that Mars will be considered the main supplier of rare metal ores. For example, such as ruthenium, scandium or thorium.
Giant planets
Even the distant neighbors of our planet can supply us with many substances necessary for the normal existence and further development of mankind. Thus, colonies on the far reaches of our solar system will supply valuable chemical raw materials to Earth.
Asteroids
Currently, scientists have decided that it is the above-described cosmic bodies, plowing the spaces of the Universe, that can become the most important stations for providing a multitude of necessary resources. For example, on some asteroids, with the help of specialized equipment and a thorough analysis of the data obtained, such valuable metals as rubidium and iridium, as well as iron, were discovered. Among other things, the above-described cosmic bodies are excellent suppliers of a complex compound that carriesname is deuterium. In the future, it is planned to use this particular substance as the main fuel for power plants of the future. One more vital issue should be noted separately. Currently, a certain percentage of the world's population suffers from constant water shortages. In the future, a similar problem may spread to most of the planet. In this case, it is asteroids that can become suppliers of such a vital resource. Since many of them contain fresh water in the form of ice.
