A Company Plans 4,000 Orbiting 'Sky Mirrors' to Shine Sunlight on Earth After Dark, Worrying Astronomers
The Daily Galaxy • • science
Key Points:
- Reflect Orbital, a California startup, proposes launching a constellation of up to 4,000 satellites equipped with large mirrors to reflect sunlight onto specific Earth regions after sunset, aiming to extend usable daylight for activities like solar power generation and nighttime operations.
- The satellites would operate in sun-synchronous orbits, remaining illuminated by the Sun while the ground below is dark, and reflect sunlight over areas approximately 5 to 6 kilometers wide for several minutes during each pass.
- The initial demonstration mission, Eärendil-1, will test an 18-by-18-meter reflector's ability to precisely aim reflected light and measure brightness and coverage on the ground to assess the concept's feasibility.
- Astronomers express concern that increased satellite brightness and
