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The Latest Breaking News from Reflect Orbital

Sunlight on demand? US approves plans to build 60-foot mirror in space

The United States has approved plans for what could become one of the most unusual space projects ever attempted — a satellite carrying a giant mirror designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth after dark.

The Times of India

The U.S. just approved a giant space mirror to test ‘sunlight on demand.’ Low Earth orbit is getting weird

The U.S. just approved a giant space mirror to test ‘sunlight on demand.’ Low Earth orbit is getting weird

A giant mirror to create “sunlight on demand” was just approved by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), despite opposition from astronomers and the public, and real safety concerns.

The Conversation

The growing number of satellites in orbit could soon make telescopes obsolete. 'For astronomy, this would obviously be catastrophic'

The growing number of satellites in orbit could soon make telescopes obsolete. 'For astronomy, this would obviously be catastrophic'

If the number of satellites in Earth's orbit exceeds 100,000, humanity may lose its ability to study the universe from the planet's surface. Some companies want to put millions into space.

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Planned 1.7 million satellites 'devastating' for astronomy by making night sky brighter

There are also concerns that huge amounts of space debris from satellites could increasingly crash into each other in a dangerous chain reaction known as "Kessler syndrome."

The night sky could get three times brighter as new satellites launch — all but ruining the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's survey of the universe

Extremely bright satellites and megaconstellations could make the night sky up to three times brighter than it is now, a new study warns. This would seriously hinder astronomical imaging devices, like the enormous camera at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

Satellite mirror plans could disrupt sleep and ecosystems worldwide, scientists say

Letters to US agency raise concerns over tech firm’s plans to use reflective satellites and expand numbers in low Earth orbit

The Guardian - UK

'This is really intolerable': Astronomers protest giant orbiting mirror project and SpaceX's million AI satellites

Proposed constellations of orbiting mirrors and data centers would completely destroy the night sky as humanity has known it for millions of years, experts say.

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How satellites could be disrupting your sleep cycle

How satellites could be disrupting your sleep cycle

More than 12,000 satellites are in low-Earth orbit, with space companies planning to launch tens of thousands more that astronomers say could ‘completely change the night sky’

The Independent UK

The Rubin Observatory will change the game for astronomy — if satellite companies don't get in the way

The Rubin Observatory will change the game for astronomy — if satellite companies don't get in the way

Scientists gathered in a conference earlier this year in an effort to solve the issue of satellite streaks ruining a powerful new Earth-based observatory's data.

Controversial startup's plan to 'sell sunlight' using giant mirrors in space would be 'catastrophic' and 'horrifying,' astronomers warn

Controversial startup's plan to 'sell sunlight' using giant mirrors in space would be 'catastrophic' and 'horrifying,' astronomers warn

California-based startup Reflect Orbital aims to build a swarm of 4,000 giant mirrors in low Earth orbit to "sell sunlight" to customers at night. Experts warn that the mirrors could mess with telescopes, blind stargazers and impact the environment.

This company's plan to launch 4,000 massive space mirrors has scientists alarmed: 'From an astronomical perspective, that's pretty catastrophic'

This company's plan to launch 4,000 massive space mirrors has scientists alarmed: 'From an astronomical perspective, that's pretty catastrophic'

Reflect Orbital has applied for a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license to launch a giant mirror to space next year.

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

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

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 Conversation

Mirrors in space could boost solar power production on Earth. Here's how.

Mirrors in space could boost solar power production on Earth. Here's how.

Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of orbiting mirrors to beam sunlight to solar power plants on Earth after dark.

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