US Approves Gigantic Satellite Mirror That Will Illuminate the Earth at Night - PetaPixel
The FCC has approved a project by Reflect Orbital to launch a satellite mirror designed to reflect sunlight to specific locations on Earth at night. The project faces criticism from astronomers concerned about light pollution and the impact on dark sky research.
Why it matters
This represents a new frontier in commercial space utility that raises significant ethical and scientific questions regarding the preservation of the night sky.
Picture this: you’re photographing in the middle of the night, it’s dark, and you desperately need light. So, you whip out your phone, open an app, pay some money, and boom, night becomes day thanks to a satellite in the sky that is now reflecting sunlight to your location like a bright full Moon.
The article presents both the commercial potential of the technology and the concerns of the scientific community.
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