There’s a Startup That Wants to Deliver On-Demand Sunlight

A startup called Reflect Orbital is saying they want to deliver on-demand sunlight when it’s dark out. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s real.

Basically, they want to send up thousands of satellites with giant mirrors. And those mirrors would reflect sunlight down to Earth at night. All you’d have to do is open up an app, drop a pin, and sunlight will arrive at your location in 30 seconds. (We first told you about this in 2024.)

But the company is aiming even higher. Here’s what the CEO said, “We’re trying to build something that could replace fossil fuels and really power everything.”

The idea is to help solar farms keep producing energy after sunset. But there are plenty of critics. Scientists are warning that the extra light could confuse animals and disrupt our sleep.

And some researchers say the math doesn’t add up. They’re saying it could take thousands of satellites just to match a fraction of daylight.

Reflect Orbital’s first test satellite could launch later this month.

(NY Times)
Photo by Michael Held on Unsplash