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From: Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
Subject: Re: OT: Surely there's an SF story with this.....
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2024 13:29:43 -0500
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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.
   https://www.amazon.com/Live-Free-Die-Rising-Paperback/dp/B00ZATORM8/

Lynn