Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
On 8/29/2024 1:07 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for 4
minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any pricing.
They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they also talk
about using it to power up solar panel systems at night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to fleece
investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
On 8/29/2024 1:07 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
"Live Free or Die" by John Ringo is close to the concept. The
protagonist uses millions of mirrors by Sol to melt metal heavy
asteroids and protect Earth from invaders coming through the new Star Gate.
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
I found the website fascinating including the interesting backgrounds of
the principals. (Keep us informed if you learn more, please.)
The SF story I am reminded of is of a far smaller scale about the
unfortunate soccer referee choosing principle to the game over loyalty
to the crowd but I can't remember the title nor author.
On 30/08/24 06:07, Cryptoengineer wrote:
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
I found the website fascinating
On 8/30/24 4:14 PM, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
On 30/08/2024 13.14, Cryptoengineer wrote:
On 8/29/2024 4:14 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
Lynn McGuire <[email protected]> writes:To my surprise, apparently the Soviets tried an orbital mirror,
On 8/29/2024 1:07 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting >>>>>> to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for >>>>>> 4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
https://www.visitnorway.com/listings/the-giant-sun-mirrors-in-rjukan/3632/ >>>
with some success.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-russian-space-mirror-briefly-lit-night-180957894/
Didn't an orbital mirror figure in Bujold's _Komarr_?
Yes - planned to be a major power source, helping terraform the planet.
The Soviets did try a 20 meter mirror, which very
briefly provided light on a rapidly moving 5km spot
on the ground, equivalent to 'several full moons'.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-man-who-turned-night-into-day/
So, yes, maybe you could provide a light with some usefulness
for a few minutes, if the mirror was steered to point to one
spot. Reflect Orbitals claim is that they can provide
light for 4 minutes at a time.
The ISS can be in sight for as long as 6.5 minutes on a pass, so
RO's mirrors must be lower. That's good for being bright, but also
means they're subject to a lot of drag from remnant traces of
atmosphere, and will need to either have propulsion to keep on
station, or be replaced frequently.
The suggestion to use RO's mirrors to power solar plants is a
total non-starter. The mirror can't deliver more light than
falls on it, and if its spread over several kilometers on the
ground, its just not bright enough to do anything useful, quite
aside from the idea that powering one for less than 5 minutes
has a use case.
Finally, you'd piss off every astronomer and stargazer on Earth.
On 8/30/2024 2:39 AM, Mad Hamish wrote:
On Thu, 29 Aug 2024 13:29:43 -0500, Lynn McGuire
<[email protected]> wrote:
On 8/29/2024 1:07 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:I'm hoping that they'll be well short of that level
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
"Live Free or Die" by John Ringo is close to the concept. The
protagonist uses millions of mirrors by Sol to melt metal heavy
asteroids and protect Earth from invaders coming through the new Star Gate. >>
What level ?
On 8/29/2024 4:14 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
Lynn McGuire <[email protected]> writes:
On 8/29/2024 1:07 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for
4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
https://www.visitnorway.com/listings/the-giant-sun-mirrors-in-rjukan/3632/
To my surprise, apparently the Soviets tried an orbital mirror,
with some success.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-russian-space-mirror-briefly-lit-night-180957894/
I don't get it - the math says this shouldn't work.
On 9/3/2024 1:08 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
On 9/3/2024 11:04 AM, Mad Hamish wrote:
On Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:31:29 -0500, Lynn McGuire
<[email protected]> wrote:
On 8/30/2024 2:39 AM, Mad Hamish wrote:The level that melts heavy metal asteroids (and also blows up
On Thu, 29 Aug 2024 13:29:43 -0500, Lynn McGuire
<[email protected]> wrote:
On 8/29/2024 1:07 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide
lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for >>>>>>> 4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any
pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight,
the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they
also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
"Live Free or Die" by John Ringo is close to the concept. The
protagonist uses millions of mirrors by Sol to melt metal heavy
asteroids and protect Earth from invaders coming through the new
Star Gate.
I'm hoping that they'll be well short of that level
What level ?
spaceships iirc)
And is a weapon of mass destruction if pointed at the Earth.
pt
Better have failsafes.
On 9/3/2024 8:30 PM, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/3/2024 11:44 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/3/2024 1:08 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:But then you wouldn't have a story for the book!
On 9/3/2024 11:04 AM, Mad Hamish wrote:
On Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:31:29 -0500, Lynn McGuire
<[email protected]> wrote:
On 8/30/2024 2:39 AM, Mad Hamish wrote:The level that melts heavy metal asteroids (and also blows up
On Thu, 29 Aug 2024 13:29:43 -0500, Lynn McGuire
<[email protected]> wrote:
On 8/29/2024 1:07 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
Reflect Orbital
https://www.reflectorbital.com/lighting
is proposing to launch a fleet of orbital mirrors to provide >>>>>>>>> lighting
to nighttime locations on the Earth.
They claim they will be able to light up a 5km diameter circle for >>>>>>>>> 4 minutes. They're accepting reservations, but I can't find any >>>>>>>>> pricing. They expect to start in Q4 2025.
I'm *extremely* skeptical. To be even as bright as moonlight, >>>>>>>>> the mirror would have to appear 1/7 the area of the Moon in
the sky.
I can't think of a use case for 4 minutes of light, but they >>>>>>>>> also talk about using it to power up solar panel systems at
night, which makes no sense.
I think its either an art project, or some kind of scam to
fleece investors who are bad at math.
Still, very stfnal.
pt
"Live Free or Die" by John Ringo is close to the concept. The >>>>>>>> protagonist uses millions of mirrors by Sol to melt metal heavy >>>>>>>> asteroids and protect Earth from invaders coming through the new >>>>>>>> Star Gate.
I'm hoping that they'll be well short of that level
What level ?
spaceships iirc)
And is a weapon of mass destruction if pointed at the Earth.
pt
Better have failsafes.
But there would be no one left on Earth to read the story !
On 9/3/2024 1:13 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
On 9/2/2024 12:01 PM, Paul S Person wrote:
On Sun, 1 Sep 2024 14:16:07 -0400, Cryptoengineer
<[email protected]> wrote:
<snip-a-bit>
The Soviets did try a 20 meter mirror, which very
briefly provided light on a rapidly moving 5km spot
on the ground, equivalent to 'several full moons'.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-man-who-turned-night-into-day/
So, yes, maybe you could provide a light with some usefulness
for a few minutes, if the mirror was steered to point to one
spot. Reflect Orbitals claim is that they can provide
light for 4 minutes at a time.
The ISS can be in sight for as long as 6.5 minutes on a pass, so
RO's mirrors must be lower. That's good for being bright, but also
means they're subject to a lot of drag from remnant traces of
atmosphere, and will need to either have propulsion to keep on
station, or be replaced frequently.
If they were far enough out, they would be over the same spot for a
lot longer than that. Have to be a /really/ big mirror, though.
The suggestion to use RO's mirrors to power solar plants is a
total non-starter. The mirror can't deliver more light than
falls on it, and if its spread over several kilometers on the
ground, its just not bright enough to do anything useful, quite
aside from the idea that powering one for less than 5 minutes
has a use case.
Finally, you'd piss off every astronomer and stargazer on Earth.
IIRC, Musk's satellite clouds have already done that.
Yes, and Starlink has gone to considerable effort to
mitigate the problem, with significant (but not total)
success.
The constellation the Chinese are starting to put up
looks like very bad news, though.
pt
Especially when the Chinese space ship broke apart in orbit into 300+
pieces at 800 km LEO.
https://www.space.com/china-megaconstellation-launch-space-junk
and
https://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/1eo0nbi/chinese_rocket_breaks_apart_after/
People are very unhappy as this is not the first time the Chinese have
done this.
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