That approval means a California start-up company, Reflect Orbital, can now launch a satellite that reflects sunlight down to Earth at night.
“Reflect Orbital makes clean, abundant energy available on demand. We exist because reliable access to affordable energy is the foundation of human progress, economic growth and a healthier planet,” says the company’s mission statement.
Reflect Orbital says it wants to eventually have many satellites that can provide light for things like farming, construction work, search-and-rescue operations and 24/7 solar energy.
The first test will be operated by a satellite carrying a large mirror called that will project a roughly 3-mile-wide beam of light over a certain area of the earth.
Climatologist David Legates of the Cornwall Alliance says be careful what you wish for.
"You start to figure there's going to be no night. They can light up on me virtually everything. My argument is there are some things that sound pretty neat, but you should not allow them to do it."
He talked about the cost of space mirrors or reflectors and the impact that could have on agriculture.
"Let's say agriculture, so you can increase the growth. How much is this going to cost the farmer? And therefore, how much is an ear corn going to go up from that field? And are they going to be able to sell this corn that's now, let's say $5.00 an ear?
“Same thing with energy,” Legates continued. “The argument has always been with solar energy, 'We don't have to worry about getting the energy because it's coming in for free.' Well, no it's not coming in for free because it's being bounced off these mirrors, and you got to pay for the mirror."
There is pushback by the astronomy community as they are concerned that sunlight at night would contribute to light pollution and interfere with research telescopes.
Reflect Orbital says they will maintain strict exclusion zones for astronomy and sensitive environments.
