Selling Sunlight? US Startup Claims To Offer Spots Of Sunrays Using Space Mirrors — Why This Sounds 'Shady'
Reflect Orbital claims that it will use a satellite equipped with mirrors to reflect sunlight. Launching even a minor satellite can cost over a million dollars. Does that sound feasible?
Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup, is making bold (possibly fake?) claims about a futuristic service: selling spots of sunlight reflected from space using a giant satellite mirror. However, many questions remain unanswered about the feasibility and costs of the venture.
How Will The Technology Work?
Reflect Orbital recently began accepting applications to "reserve a spot of light" via its official website, showcasing the concept with a video demonstration posted on X (formerly Twitter).
New things to play with on the website! pic.twitter.com/NJcOjFSblf
— Ben Nowack (@bennbuilds) August 22, 2024
The video features Ben Nowack, a former SpaceX intern and co-founder of the startup, using an app to control sunlight-reflecting mirrors. As Nowack selects his location on the app while standing outside in the dark, the area around him is illuminated as if by stadium lighting.
Is It Real?
Let's take a second to dissect the video. For starters, the so-called sunshine does NOT look like reflected sun rays - at least not in the way we generally perceive sunshine to be. If this author is being honest, the light in the video looks like it's generated by a run-of-the-mill spotlight.
The authenticity of the demonstration has been questioned, with publications like Mashable and The Byte as well as users on social media unsure whether the video represents a real test or merely a simulation of the proposed service.
Make your own sunlight with satellites. WTAF? https://t.co/bnsTuG1Dey
— DHDG (@DHDEGEN) August 25, 2024
How Is Reflect Orbital Justifying Its Tech?
Reflect Orbital’s plan hinges on launching a satellite equipped with mirrors to reflect sunlight to specific locations on Earth, as illustrated on its website (screenshot below).
The company states that the delivery of these so-called "sunspots" is expected in late 2025.
However, the startup has yet to launch the crucial satellite, adding to scepticism about the project's viability.
Can You Even Afford Sunlight?
The financial aspects of Reflect Orbital's ambitious plan remain unclear. The company has not disclosed the costs associated with the satellite launch or the price consumers will pay for their sunlight spots. Despite inquiries from multiple publications, Reflect Orbital has not provided information on these key details, raising concerns about the affordability of the service.
Launching even the smallest satellites can be costly, often exceeding a million dollars, making the prospect of affordable sunlight-as-a-service uncertain. Moreover, the technical feasibility of reflecting sunlight from space is still in question, given the limited success of past attempts.
While the idea of space-reflected sunlight might seem like a science fiction dream, its execution and potential price tag leave many wondering if the project will ever see the light of day. For now, the startup's promise remains speculative, relying on future developments and investments to make it a reality.
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