• Fermion@mander.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    8
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    9 months ago

    Even if the actuators had enough precision, which they almost certainly do not, there’s no way the mirrors are flat enough to keep the light collimated that far out. The angular spread would make the intensity much lower at orbital altitudes.

    • Smuuthbrane
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      9 months ago

      True, however even if you get nearly 400MW of energy focused roughly, that’s going to be well outside the operating parameters of satellites. The only thing that would save them would be the fact that they’re moving at orbital speed and would only be subject to that beam for milliseconds.