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From: Dimensional Traveler <dtravel@sonic.net>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
Subject: Re: OT: Surely there's an SF story with this.....
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 18:30:09 -0700
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On 9/3/2024 11:44 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> On 9/3/2024 1:08 PM, Cryptoengineer wrote:
>> On 9/3/2024 11:04 AM, Mad Hamish wrote:
>>> On Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:31:29 -0500, Lynn McGuire
>>> <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 8/30/2024 2:39 AM, Mad Hamish wrote:
>>>>> On Thu, 29 Aug 2024 13:29:43 -0500, Lynn McGuire
>>>>> <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm hoping that they'll be well short of that level
>>>>
>>>> What level ?
>>>>
>>> The level that melts heavy metal asteroids (and also blows up
>>> spaceships iirc)
>>
>> And is a weapon of mass destruction if pointed at the Earth.
>>
>> pt
> 
> Better have failsafes.
> 
But then you wouldn't have a story for the book!

-- 
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky 
dirty old man.