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From: ted@loft.tnolan.com (Ted Nolan <tednolan>)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
Subject: Re: OT: Surely there's an SF story with this.....
Date: 30 Aug 2024 12:24:01 GMT
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In article <varnf4$c6r7$2@dont-email.me>, Titus G  <noone@nowhere.com> wrote:
>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 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.

Clarke, "A Slight Case Of Sunstroke" (aka "The Stroke Of The Sun").
-- 
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