The Controversial Space Mirrors Designed to Boost Solar Power
Exxon and Chevron’s $26.5 Billion Quarter Draws Trump’s Ire REalloys is establishing a comprehensive,… Felicity Bradstock is a writer and journalist based in Mexico City.
She writes for energy websites and covers several other industries, as well as writing… In line with greater funding for renewable energy and cleantech in recent years, several companies have sought to use innovative technologies and techniques to enhance clean energy production.
Tech and energy startups from around the world have raised funds to test out a wide range of technologies aimed at accelerating the deployment of renewable energy capacity and enhancing the stability of certain energy sources, such as solar power.
The California-based startup Reflect Orbital was recently granted permission from the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test a controversial satellite fitted with an 18-metre-wide mirror, which the company hopes will help power solar farms and provide light at night.
In May 2025, the startupraised a $20 million Series Ato accelerate development of its satellite.
Reflect Orbital plans to launch the Eärendil-1 demo satellite into low Earth orbit before the end of the year.
The FCCstatedthat the project could provide “potentially groundbreaking technology” that could advance American leadership in space.
Once in orbit, the satellite will open up a massive thin-film reflector that will be used as a mirror to reflect sunlight back to the dark side of the Earth.
The startup aims to redirect sunlight onto areas between 5 km and 6 km wide “on demand”, with adjustable brightness “from full moon to full noon”.
If successful, Reflect Orbital will sell the reflected sunlight to companies and municipalities at up to$5,000 an hourto use to illuminate streets without electricity or power solar farms at night.
However, not everyone is happy about the decision.
Several scientists oppose the move over concerns that light beams could “flash blind” pilots, hamper astronomical research, and interfere with circadian rhythms, which could hinder plant growth, human sleep, and hormone release in humans and other animals.
| Product | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Brent Crude | $102.14/bbl | +0.34% |
| WTI Crude | $96.90/bbl | +0.21% |
| EN590 Diesel | $846/MT | +0.18% |
| Jet Fuel A-1 | $1090/MT | +0.55% |
| Mazut M100 | $450/MT | -0.15% |
| Bitumen 60/70 | $470/MT | +0.08% |
| Sulphur Gran 99.5% | $470/MT | -0.44% |
| Urea 46% Gran | $650/MT | +1.12% |
| NPK 16-16-16 | $460/MT | -0.28% |
| Nat Gas TTF | $15.42/MMBtu | +0.92% |
Comments
Post a Comment