Giant mirrors to be used to sell sunlight at night:India’s Skyroot Aerospace partners with US startup for project

US space technology company Reflect Orbital is preparing to sell sunlight to selected locations on Earth at night. Large mirrors will be placed in Earth’s orbit for this purpose. The California-based start-up will launch satellites with the help of India’s Skyroot Aerospace. The two companies have signed a contract for two launches. These satellites will provide lighting for search-and-rescue operations in disaster-affected areas. They will also extend the time available for generating electricity at solar farms. Contract signed for two launches Reflect Orbital has signed an agreement with Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad for two launches. Both launches will be carried out using Vikram rockets. The company said in a statement, “These launches will give us a firm schedule and capacity alongside other contracted launch services in the US.” Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Chandana said, Reflect Orbital is working on one of the newest applications of space technology. We are looking forward to launching their plan to provide on-demand sunlight on Earth with Skyroot A. Light can be provided within five-kilometre radius 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 light that can be switched off at any time. Its brightness can be adjusted, and it will cover an area spanning five kilometres. According to the company, this on-demand light could extend working hours in remote industrial areas. It could help illuminate critical infrastructure during defence operations. First launch to take place aboard the Vikram-1 rocket Reflect Orbital co-founder and CEO Ben Novak said, We are excited to work with the new launch provider Skyroot. This will help ensure access to space. Under the contract, the first launch will be conducted using the Vikram-1 rocket. The second launch will use Skyroot’s Vikram-1U launch vehicle. The Vikram-1U is fitted with extra boosters on its first stage. Novak said, We recently received a licence from the Federal Communications Commission to operate our first spacecraft. We will continue working with astronomers, local communities and regulators. This will help us secure approval to expand on a larger scale. Sunlight also sent from orbit in 1993 In 1993, Russian scientists and engineers deployed a 65-foot-long mirror in orbit. It sent a rotating beam of sunlight to Earth. The experiment was successful. However, it was discontinued because of a lack of funds. The experiment was named Znamya. Reflect Orbital’s plan has also sparked controversy. Several environmental organisations have called on the FCC to revoke the approval granted for the demonstration satellite. These organisations say that bright light at night could disturb wildlife. It could affect astronomical studies and disrupt people’s biological routines.