A former SpaceX executive plans to keep solar farms running at night, using sunlight from space, reflected off an array of orbiting satellites. The startup is aptly named Reflect Orbital, and the company would provide short periods of “Sunlight-as-a-service from space.”
Ben Nowack is the CEO of Reflect Orbital, a former propulsion engineering intern who worked on Crew Dragon components at SpaceX. The company plans to deploy satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit at about 373 miles above Earth to direct the sunlight to solar farms on Earth, before sunrise or after sunset. Each satellite would have tightly stretched 33’ X 33’ mylar sheets for maximum reflectivity. If the company can get 57 satellites into an orbital array outside of the shadow cast by the planet, it could theoretically provide an extra 30 minutes of sunshine anywhere in the world. Another possible service is selling the sunlight as lighting on Earth.
By using a special helix orbit, the reflectors could focus sunlight on regions that have more solar farms, such as Spain or California. The company is planning to launch two pilot satellites as a proof of concept. More information is available here.
Image: Pexels.com
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