FCC Approves Orbital Space Mirrors for Testing
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Reflect Orbital's Eärendil-1 satellite, a low-earth orbit spacecraft with four 18-meter reflectors to test sunlight extension for construction sites, search-and-rescue, and solar farm energy production. The startup aims to deploy 50,000 satellites by 2035.
Key points
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Reflect Orbital's Eärendil-1 satellite for launch.
- The satellite features four 18-meter thin-film reflectors to extend daylight for several minutes.
- Reflect Orbital plans to launch two satellites this year and aims to deploy 50,000 satellites by 2035.
- The technology can be used for construction site lighting, search-and-rescue operations, and increasing solar farm energy production.
- The startup's CEO, Ben Nowack, sees this as a crucial step towards testing the technology's efficacy and safeguards.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Reflect Orbital's Eärendil-1 satellite for launch. This low-earth orbit spacecraft features four 18-meter thin-film reflectors designed to extend daylight for several minutes. The technology can be used for construction site lighting, search-and-rescue operations, and increasing solar farm energy production.
Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup, aims to deploy 50,000 satellites by 2035. The company's CEO, Ben Nowack, sees this approval as a crucial step towards testing the technology's efficacy and safeguards. The startup plans to launch two satellites this year, with the goal of providing 'clean, abundant energy available on demand'.
The idea of using space-based mirrors to extend daylight is not new, with a similar concept appearing in the James Bond movie Die Another Day. However, Reflect Orbital's technology has the potential to provide a significant source of renewable energy, with the ability to deliver up to 36,000 lux for hours comparable to daylight.
Sources
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