Coal-Fired Spacecraft

Recently, I have seen quite a few opinion pieces criticizing solar PV energy sources.  Some of the pieces compare coal and oil to solar PV based on relative cost.  Other pieces focus on the (unfair) subsidies associated with some solar PV array installations.

On occasion, valid objections to solar PV are raised.

I figure—at least for the short term—we have need for all forms of energy—from coal all the way up to solar PV.  Still, I see a great deal of solar PV in our future and comparing sources is not always helpful.  We cannot deny that producing solar modules is very energy-intensive, but the “energy payback” is often estimated at somewhere between one to eight years once the modules are put into energy production.  Modules are designed to produce for thirty years and can produce for much longer in some instances.

I have a comparison.  If the coal and oil interests want to make a valid point, why don’t they send a spacecraft into orbit that will be powered by fuel oil or coal for the entire time they are in space so we can compare that to all the craft presently powered by solar modules?

--Mitchell Hegman