David Criswell
Encyclopedia
David R. Criswell, Ph.D is currently the Director of the Institute for Space Systems Operations at the University of Houston
. ISSO is the operational agent for the Houston Partnership for Space Exploration.
Criswell received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963 (graduating cum laude) and a Master of Science degree in Physics in 1964 from the University of North Texas
, in Denton, Texas. In 1968, he received a Doctorate degree in space physics
and Astronomy
from Rice University
in Houston, Texas.
He is an active member of the Power from Space Committee of the International Astronautical Federation
and participates in IAF and United Nations
Summits dealing with supplying energy to Earth. He also serves on the Board of Governors
of the National Space Society
, a non-profit space advocacy
organization in Washington, D.C.
from the moon
. He proposes the large-scale construction of solar collectors on the lunar surface, using local lunar materials. The solar energy would be converted to microwave energy and transmitted to Earth.
Criswell envisions that this energy source would spur an unprecedented amount of global economic growth (Gross World Product increasing by a factor of 10), while having a positive environmental impact (fossil fuel-burning power plants would be decommissioned). He points out that lunar-solar energy would not generate nuclear waste, and is not a finite resource (in the sense that fossil fuels are a finite resource).
He estimates that a 1 GigaWatt demo of the lunar-solar power generation system could be built over a 10-year period for approximately $50 billion. If this estimate is accurate, it would indeed be a relatively small investment (To put the figure in perspective, Bill Gates' personal wealth is estimated to be $69 billion http://philip.greenspun.com/WealthClock and the 2008 total estimate for the war at Iraq is $500 billion ).
In short, Criswell believes that lunar-solar energy is the only viable option for generating the massive amounts of electrical power that would be needed to raise the standard of living in third-world nations to that of first-world nations.
He once said, from the University of Houston, that "We are already well beyond what the biosphere can provide. We have to go outside to get something else"
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. ISSO is the operational agent for the Houston Partnership for Space Exploration.
Criswell received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963 (graduating cum laude) and a Master of Science degree in Physics in 1964 from the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
, in Denton, Texas. In 1968, he received a Doctorate degree in space physics
Space physics
Space physics, also known as space plasma physics, is the study of plasmas as they occur naturally in the universe. As such, it encompasses a far-ranging number of topics, including the sun, solar wind, planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres, auroras, cosmic rays, and synchrotron radiation...
and Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
from Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in Houston, Texas.
He is an active member of the Power from Space Committee of the International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation , the world's foremost space advocacy organisation, is based in Paris. It was founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization. It has 206 members from 58 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, industry, professional associations,...
and participates in IAF and United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Summits dealing with supplying energy to Earth. He also serves on the Board of Governors
Board of governors
Board of governors is a term sometimes applied to the board of directors of a public entity or non-profit organization.Many public institutions, such as public universities, are government-owned corporations. The British Broadcasting Corporation was managed by a board of governors, though this role...
of the National Space Society
National Space Society
The National Space Society is an international nonprofit 501, educational, and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy...
, a non-profit space advocacy
Space advocacy
Space advocacy can be described as the general position supporting, pleading or arguing for the idea or cause of space exploration and settlements...
organization in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Views on exploiting lunar resources
For over thirty years, Criswell has been an advocate for obtaining solar powerSolar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
from the moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
. He proposes the large-scale construction of solar collectors on the lunar surface, using local lunar materials. The solar energy would be converted to microwave energy and transmitted to Earth.
Criswell envisions that this energy source would spur an unprecedented amount of global economic growth (Gross World Product increasing by a factor of 10), while having a positive environmental impact (fossil fuel-burning power plants would be decommissioned). He points out that lunar-solar energy would not generate nuclear waste, and is not a finite resource (in the sense that fossil fuels are a finite resource).
He estimates that a 1 GigaWatt demo of the lunar-solar power generation system could be built over a 10-year period for approximately $50 billion. If this estimate is accurate, it would indeed be a relatively small investment (To put the figure in perspective, Bill Gates' personal wealth is estimated to be $69 billion http://philip.greenspun.com/WealthClock and the 2008 total estimate for the war at Iraq is $500 billion ).
In short, Criswell believes that lunar-solar energy is the only viable option for generating the massive amounts of electrical power that would be needed to raise the standard of living in third-world nations to that of first-world nations.
He once said, from the University of Houston, that "We are already well beyond what the biosphere can provide. We have to go outside to get something else"
See also
- Future energy development
- Solar power satellite
- In-Situ Resource UtilizationIn-Situ Resource UtilizationIn space exploration, in-situ resource utilization describes the proposed use of resources found or manufactured on other astronomical objects to further the goals of a space mission....