Can we 'beam' energy from the moon?

Really can't believe I have to edit this in, but this question has no bearing on our current use and generation of nuclear energy on Earth. There are dangers to nuclear energy generation, or we would not be taking all of these precautionary steps to make it as safe as it is today. These precautionary steps are not required on the moon, making fission ideal for use there. The discussion of if Nuclear energy is safer than coal energy generation on earth is not valid here

Nuclear power will always present some sort of danger, but growing energy demands keep pushing nuclear options as a necessity. So we need a place with plenty of coolant that is really well isolated in case of meltdown. What better place than the moon?

Some setting...The north side of the moon has confirmed water deposits existing in the form of ice. Large scale nuclear energy plants are to be placed here in 2052 with the required uranium to start nuclear energy production. Fast forward and 4 large plants are created and the energy began to flow. Spent uranium could be readily placed outside where the nuclear radiation is harmlessly emitted into space.

3 parts to this question.

1. The energy produced on the moon is to be sent back to earth, preferably using satellite dishes to transport the energy from the moon to receiving dishes on the earth where it is distributed (yes, the moon is a giant energy source now). How feasible is beaming energy back to the earth? Is there an effect on the Earths magnetic field? Would the energy cause the atmosphere to glow (enough energy to ionize the atmosphere and give a blueish glow to the beam of energy transmitting?)

2. What happens when one of these plants metldown? Is it feasible to say the radiation will be isolated on the moon or released harmlessly into space?

3. Mostly theory, but is there some danger in mass transmitting electrons to the earth, potentially negatively charging the earth and positively charging the moon (is that even a possibility?)

Added Clarifications from answers and comments:

• Moon was chosen for the abundance (possible abundance?) of water ice and other material that could be used in the thermonuclear energy generation. If the Moon was ripped from the earth in formation, it would stand to reason that the uranium required is also there
• Plan is intended to be used as a stepping stone to Moon colonization and industrialization...it's not necessarily the end goal. SO there are additional reasons to use the moon, not simply just power generation.
• Heated (and radiated) water can simply be reinjected into the moon for cooling...no need for the vacuum of space to provide that.
• Edited the main question to get rid of the spent rods cooling off in the vacuum of space and replaced with just letting it radiate off into space.
• Yes, the idea of high-jacking the setup to use as a weapon and re-aiming it at certain populated sections of the earth is part of a story line.

posted about 10 years ago

Twelfth‭

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