California-based startup Reflect Orbital aims to build a swarm of 4,000 giant mirrors in low Earth orbit to “sell sunlight” to customers at night. Experts warn that the mirrors could mess with telescopes, blind stargazers and impact the environment.
Reflect Orbital, which was founded in 2021, has recently taken the first step in a scheme to sell sunlight at night by bouncing solar rays off giant “reflectors” that can redirect the vital resource almost anywhere on our planet. By doing this, the company aims to extend daylight hours in specific locations, thus allowing paying customers to generate solar power, grow crops and replace urban lighting.
But experts say it is a wildly impractical plan that should never get off the ground. What’s more, the resulting light pollution could devastate ground-based astronomy, distract aircraft pilots and even blind stargazers.
“We’re a startup”
“What’s your plan?”
“Giant mirrors in space to control the sunlight that hits the earth’s surface.”
“Wow, sounds incredibly expensive and of dubious technical merit. What are you asking to make this happen?”
“We need whatever money you have in your wallet right now.”
“And the return on investment?”
“Infinity zillion dollars.”
“I guess I’d be a fool not to hand you all my money.”
“Absolutely. Now… that’s a really nice watch. And shoes. We could get you an amazing return if you gave us those, too.”