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The Conversation
The Conversation
Michael J. I. Brown, Associate Professor in Astronomy, Monash University

A US startup plans to deliver ‘sunlight on demand’ after dark. Can it work – and would we want it to?

Reflect Orbital Sun United States Earth Pollution Flickr SpaceX The Conversation
Can a new satellite constellation create sunlight on demand? SpaceX/Flickr, CC BY

A proposed constellation of satellites has astronomers very worried. Unlike satellites that reflect sunlight and produce light pollution as an unfortunate byproduct, the ones by US startup Reflect Orbital would produce light pollution by design.

The company promises to produce “sunlight on demand” with mirrors that beam sunlight down to Earth so solar farms can operate after sunset.

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