✓ The New York Times ScienceScience & Systems
F.C.C. Approves Test of Space Mirror to Light Night Sky Despite Outcry
A startup won FCC approval to test a space mirror that could illuminate a three-mile patch of night sky.
The company's prototype will use a reflective orbital structure to bounce sunlight onto Earth, creating an artificial daylight effect. Critics warn of light pollution and ecological disruption, while proponents cite potential uses for disaster relief and energy generation.
The test, planned for a 60-day window, will target a remote 3-mile-wide area. Astronomers and environmental groups have already raised concerns over the project's long-term impact.
- 60-day window
- Test Duration
- 3-mile-wide remote patch
- Target Area
- Disaster relief and energy generation
- Stated Benefits
- Astronomers and environmental groups
- Critics
Why it mattersThis could redefine night-time illumination but risks unintended consequences for ecosystems and astronomy.
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