A startup plans to reflect sunlight from space using mirrors

Reflect Orbital plans to beam sunlight from space to Earth using satellites with Mylar mirrors.

: Reflect Orbital, a California startup, is designing a satellite constellation with Mylar mirrors to redirect sunlight to Earth at night. Each satellite features a lightweight polyester film mirror, measuring 33-by-33-feet, which weighs around 35 pounds to minimize launch costs. These devices aim to provide night-time illumination to solar plants, though technical hurdles include maintaining accuracy amid obstacles like cloud cover. Considerations include avoiding excess light pollution and adhering to strict orbital debris rules for end-of-life disposal within 25 years.

Reflect Orbital is a vista of futuristic energy potential, stepping into the universe with an ambitious plan to provide nighttime illumination using space-based mirrors. This endeavor centers around a constellation of satellites equipped with large Mylar mirrors that redirect sunlight from space back to Earth, filling a gap in renewable energy approaches where solar power cannot traditionally reach – nighttime. The development of these setups is a bold stride towards world-changing solutions but is fraught with technical and environmental challenges.

Reflect Orbital plans on installing a substantial network of up to 57 satellites operating approximately at an altitude of 600 kilometers. The mirrors within each satellite, made of durable and reflective polyester film, are 33-by-33 feet in dimension, allowing them to reflect sunlight effectively. These mirrors, approximately 35 pounds each, are designed to be lightweight, minimizing launch costs and enhancing feasibility. The system offers a tailored approach where clients register targeted sites online, which the mirrors then illuminate accordingly.

Launching into low Earth orbit and focusing sunlight requires intricate precision, achieved by constant adjustment of each satellite's orientation relative to the Sun and Earth. These systems might likely employ advanced control systems, like reaction wheels, to maintain the desired trajectory over targeted sites. Existing tests with high-altitude balloons and analogous small-scale mirrors have demonstrated potential, although achieving the leap to full scale and maintaining precision remains a formidable challenge.

The uncertainties thy pose include atmospheric phenomena such as cloud cover and the risk of scattering absorbed or reflected light before it reaches the ground, diminishing its usability considerably. Concurrently, careful strategies are being developed to mitigate any additional light pollution potentially affecting nighttime skies and astronomical work. Recognizing the threat posed by orbital debris, Reflect Orbital emphasizes adhering to regulations that mandate satellites deorbit within 25 years post-mission.

The innovativeness and potential of Reflect Orbital's plan, even in its infancy, have not gone unnoticed, capturing significant interest and highlighting the expansive opportunities in future renewable energy solutions. The underlying concept aligns with humanity's drive towards net-zero carbon solutions and marks a grand gesture toward harmonizing technological advancement with sustainable objectives.

Sources: TechSpot, Science Post

EnergySpaceSolar