Galactic perils are no longer just a distant concern; once burning resources in deserts and protecting Earth, they now embark on interstellar threats.
In a groundbreaking proposal, scientific researcher John Sandusky from Sandia Laboratories has suggested a novel use for concentration solar plants, traditionally known for their energy production. Sandusky's idea, under consideration for over two decades, could transform these solar plants into potential defenders of our planet.
The concept revolves around the heliostats, the mirrors used to concentrate sunlight, which are made to oscillate, sweeping a discrete portion of the sky at a constant and repetitive rate. When an asteroid crosses the field of vision, it moves at a different angular speed than the stars, generating a signal with a slightly different frequency than the "base tone" of the sky, which is the light of stars, swept at this rate, producing a signal in the tower's receiver. This frequency difference can be used to detect asteroids by their relative speed against the stars.
This innovative approach, unlike traditional asteroid detection methods, does not rely on tracking asteroid trails against fixed stars. Instead, it focuses on the study of frequencies, making it a potentially cost-effective method for finding near-Earth objects.
The idea of repurposing solar plants for planetary defense has gained traction, with a pilot project underway in the United States. Large fields of mirrors from concentration solar plants are being utilised at night to detect asteroids, extending the utility of these installations beyond daytime energy production.
However, the current energy market has made concentration solar plants less profitable, with plummeting prices of photovoltaic energy. This has led to the closure of projects like the Ivanpah solar plant, located in the California desert and using 300,000 mirrors to reflect sunlight and heat water, producing steam and electricity. The final closure of the Ivanpah plant is estimated to take place in 2026.
Despite the challenges, the potential benefits of Sandusky's proposal are significant. The goal is to increase sensitivity and detect smaller and more distant objects, including those in cislunar space. The idea is being considered to sell to the Space Force, offering a new and exciting frontier in planetary defense.
Meanwhile, another scientist, Jürgen Kusche from the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation (IGG) at the University of Bonn, has been asking about the use of similar projects for the Earth for almost 20 years. His work, along with the ongoing pilot project, could mark the beginning of a new era in asteroid detection and planetary defense.
As we look to the future, it's clear that innovation and adaptation are key to overcoming challenges and ensuring the safety of our planet. The repurposing of concentration solar plants for asteroid detection is a prime example of this, offering a cost-effective and potentially game-changing solution to a problem that affects us all.
