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American space technology company Reflect Orbital is preparing to sell sunlight at select places on Earth at night. For this, large mirrors will be placed in Earth’s orbit.
This California start-up will launch the satellite with the help of India’s Skyroot Aerospace. Two launch contracts have been signed between the two companies.
These satellites will provide light for search and rescue operations in disaster affected areas. The time for generating electricity in solar farm can also be increased.
Contract signed for two launches
Reflect Orbital has signed a two-launch agreement with Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad. Both launches will be done with Vikram rocket. “These launches will give us a stable schedule and capacity to align with other scheduled launch services in the United States,” the company said in a statement.
Pawan Chandana, CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, said, “Reflect Orbital is working on one of the most innovative uses of space technology. We look forward to launching their plan with Skyroot A to bring sunlight on demand to Earth.”
Lighting can be provided within a radius of five kilometers
In July, Reflect Orbital received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build, launch and operate a demonstration satellite. The start-up aims to provide lighting that can be turned off at any time. Its brightness can be changed and it will spread over an area of five kilometers.
According to the company, this on-demand lighting can increase working hours in remote industrial areas. This can help in illuminating important structures in defense operations.
The first launch will be from Vikram-1 rocket
“We are excited to work with new launch provider Skyroot to help ensure access to space,” said Ben Novak, co-founder and CEO of Reflect Orbital.
The first launch under this contract will be from Vikram-1 rocket. The second launch will be done from Skyroot’s Vikram-1U launch vehicle. Extra boosters of the first stage have been installed in Vikram-1U.
Novak said, “We recently received a license from the Federal Communications Commission to operate our first spacecraft. We will continue to work with astronomers, local communities and regulators to help secure permission for larger scale expansion.”
Sunlight was also sent from orbit in 1993
In 1993, Russian scientists and engineers deployed a 65-foot tall mirror into orbit. Due to this, a rotating ray of sunlight was sent to the earth.
This experiment was successful. However, it was closed due to lack of funds. The name of this experiment was Zanamya.
There has also been controversy regarding the plan for Reflect Orbital. Several environmental organizations have called on the FCC to revoke approval for the demonstration satellite.
These organizations say that bright lights at night can disturb the wildlife. This may affect studies related to astronomy and may affect the biological routine of humans.
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