A startup is seeking FCC approval to reflect sunlight onto Earth with a constellation of giant space mirrors. (NYT)
California-based Reflect Orbital plans to deploy up to 50K orbiting mirrors by 2035 to provide $5k/hour “sunlight on demand” for solar farms and illuminate disaster zones. It will kick things off with a 60-ft prototype, which could launch as soon as this summer.
Maybe not the best idea: Biologists say beaming artificial daylight from orbit could severely interfere with the circadian rhythms of wildlife, affecting hibernation, migration, and pollination patterns.
Also: It’s straight-up inefficient, according to physics. Astronomers calculate it would take 3K+ large satellites to replicate just 20% of normal midday sunlight at a single site. But it’s perfect for future lunar bases: The Moon has two-week-long nights and no atmosphere to scatter the light.