Space Mirror Technology Controversy
On 14 July, The Verge Tech and The Verge reported that the first space mirror designed to reflect sunlight had been cleared for launch. By 21 August, MIT Technology Review reported on the consequences: the company’s plans to deploy space mirrors could jeopardize the night sky for many.
Taking the reports as factual, impact is 0%. Clearance alone changes nothing for people who could lose a darker night sky. The reported risk depends on deployment.
Watch for the mirror’s launch, deployment plans, and measurements of its effect on the night sky. Such measurements would change the assessment.
Reflect Orbital is launching a test satellite named Eärendil-1 as a precursor to a fleet of up to 50,000 space mirrors that would provide sunlight on demand as a service.
Solar energy, at any time of day or night - that's the dream of space mirror projects. Futurists have been imagining satellite mirrors that could reflect the sun's light onto the
A company that plans to beam sunlight from space to Earth on demand might unintentionally brighten the night sky for many more people than intended, according to a new study.
Astronomers warn that a recent FCC decision about mirror-equipped satellites could hinder their ability to observe the cosmos, as well as lead to permanent eye damage.
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