Kenneth Chang and Hiroko Tabuchi in the New York Times:
A start-up company wants to light up the night with 50,000 big mirrors orbiting Earth, bouncing sunlight to the night side of the planet to power solar farms after sunset, provide lighting for rescue workers and illuminate city streets, among other things.
Scientists have questions about that.
It is an idea seemingly out of a sci-fi movie, but the company, Reflect Orbital of Hawthorne, Calif., could soon receive permission to launch its first prototype satellite with a 60-foot-wide mirror. The company has applied to the Federal Communications Commission, which issues the licenses needed to deploy satellites.
If the F.C.C. approves, the test satellite could get a ride into orbit as soon as this summer. The F.C.C.’s public comment period on the application closes on Monday.
More here.
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