Tag

Space Mirrors

All articles tagged with #space mirrors

space2 days ago•163 min saved

Space mirrors could render night skies daylight, study warns

A study on Reflect Orbital’s proposed sun-reflecting space mirrors finds that observers in the beam would see a light intensity up to 40 times brighter than the full Moon, with the resulting sky glow potentially wiping out stars. If 40,000 mirrors were deployed, the combined brightness could reach 10,000 times the Moon’s, extending visibility and twilight-like brightness up to tens of kilometers away and threatening astronomical observations. The company has FCC permission to test an 18-by-18-meter mirror on the EARENDIL-1 satellite, a move that has drawn objections from astronomers and environmental groups who cite insufficient environmental review and data transparency; Reflect Orbital argues many mirrors would be inactive or placed in remote locations.

via Space|

#astronomy #fcc #light-pollution

science17 days ago•3 min saved

Space Mirrors May Light Up Nights, Prompting Eye-Safety Alarm

A California startup, Reflect Orbital, won FCC approval to test Earendil-1, a prototype satellite that deploys a large reflector to bounce sunlight onto a designated area up to about 3 miles (5 km) across. While the project aims to demonstrate space-based lighting, experts warn the reflected light could damage eyes and disrupt astronomical viewing, prompting environmental groups to call for transparency and environmental review before any broader deployment.

via Gizmodo|

#astronomy #eye-safety #night-sky

technology1 month ago•10 min saved

Orbital mirrors set to beam daylight to Earth, but questions abound

The FCC approved Reflect Orbital to launch a pilot low-Earth-orbit satellite with movable mirrors to reflect sunlight to Earth, potentially lighting a 5 km patch for up to an hour; however, delivering meaningful daylight would require thousands of satellites with massive mirrors, making the concept expensive and likely less economical than battery storage, while experts warn about sleep disruption, wildlife and ecological impacts, and interference with astronomy as regulators debate planetary governance.

via ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation|

#fcc-regulation #feasibility-cost #light-pollution

technology1 month ago•105 min saved

FCC approves Reflect Orbital's first space-mirror demo, signaling a path to thousands more

The FCC has granted Reflect Orbital authorization to launch Earendil-1, a roughly 60-foot-square space mirror demo in low Earth orbit, with the company envisioning a future constellation of up to 50,000 mirrors by 2035 to direct sunlight for purposes such as lighting, emergency response, and boosting solar power; Earendil-1 is slated to launch later in 2026. The plan has drawn concerns about light pollution and potential effects on astronomy, but Reflect Orbital says it can confine light to a controllable spot, switch it off quickly, and avoid observatories and sensitive habitats.

via Space|

#earendil-1 #fcc-license #light-pollution

science-and-technology10 months ago•7 min saved

Astronomers Warn of Risks from Space Mirrors Selling Sunlight

A California startup, Reflect Orbital, plans to launch up to 4,000 giant mirrors into space to reflect sunlight onto Earth's night side, aiming to extend daylight hours for energy and agriculture. Experts warn this could cause severe light pollution, disrupt astronomy, and pose space safety risks, with past similar attempts having failed and skepticism about the feasibility and environmental impact of the project.

via Live Science|

#astronomical-impact #light-pollution #reflect-orbital

science-and-technology10 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Warn Against Launching 4,000 Space Mirrors to Reflect Sunlight

Reflect Orbital, a startup planning to deploy a large array of space mirrors to reflect sunlight to paying customers, faces criticism from astronomers due to potential light pollution and environmental impacts. The company has yet to launch its mirrors but has secured FCC licensing for a demo in 2026 and a US Air Force contract, targeting high-paying clients for various uses, including national defense and advertising.

via Futurism|

#astronomical-impact #reflect-orbital #satellites

science10 months ago•6 min saved

Innovative Space Technologies Transforming Nighttime Illumination and Power

California-based startup Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of over 4,000 space mirrors to enhance solar power generation by reflecting sunlight onto Earth during twilight hours, but this project has raised concerns among astronomers and environmentalists due to its potential to significantly increase light pollution and disrupt natural ecosystems and astronomical observations.

via Space|

#astronomy #environmental-impact #light-pollution