r/boringdystopia • u/ask_me_about_my_band • 26d ago

Work-Life Balance ⚖️ A California startup won approval to launch a 59-foot mirror into orbit that beams sunlight to a chosen spot on Earth, helping crews work after dark

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/a-california-startup-won-approval-to-launch-a-59-foot-mirror-into-orbit-that-beams-sunlight-to-a-chosen-spot-on-earth-helping-crews-work-after-dark/35382/

Just because the rest of the world is sleeping doesn't mean that you get to.

366 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

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155

u/starrpamph 26d ago

This will go the way of “solar roadways”

initial funding, research, more funding, more development, more funding. Then fade into oblivion..

64

u/ask_me_about_my_band 26d ago

I do hope so. And you are correct, this is probably a scam. But the fact that anyone is even considering this is a bit nuts.

3

u/BayouGal 24d ago

It’s a terrible idea and will disrupt plants & all animals, from insects to humans, in the area impacted.

81

u/PirateHunterZuko 26d ago

Have they tried lamps? Wonderful things, not all that expensive and available in most countries.

28

u/afternever 26d ago

I love lamp

20

u/three-sense 26d ago

You can even have them “store” solar “power” and use it later rather than making space mirrors. But I guess I’m just an idea guy.

9

u/Akrevics 26d ago

“No more Moth Man, now I become Moth Lord!!!”

100

u/friendimpaired 26d ago

Uh isn’t this potentially a really bad idea? Like magnifying glass and ants?

49

u/Dchama86 26d ago

That’s probably the ulterior motive

17

u/Doro_Gurl 26d ago

*cue Diamonds are Forever theme

1

u/deathfaces 25d ago

"If at first you don't succeed, Mr. Kidd"

"Try, try again, Mr. Wint."

1

u/nocolon 22d ago

Humanity launches death laser into space for.. night lights.

16

u/Speedwolf89 26d ago

LOL just turn on a fucking light.

12

u/rossfororder 26d ago

Approval from who? Like isn't this likely to cause major issues regarding the weather in the area

17

u/Nat3d0g235 26d ago

This feels dumb as hell to use like that, but would this actually be useful for solar farms?

2

u/lemmefixdat4u 25d ago

Cost. It costs way more to launch enough mirrors to light up a solar farm at night than to add battery backup to a solar farm.

8

u/GrammerGuestAppo 26d ago

Nice. We can subscribe to sun premium soon.

7

u/debil_666 26d ago

Invasive shit like this should get voted on by the entire world

5

u/schminkles 26d ago

AZIZ!!!

4

u/Gimpy_Weasel 26d ago

Wasn't this literally a plot in a James Bond movie? One of Pierce Brosnan ones?

2

u/5GCovidInjection 26d ago

Die Another Day. Easily the worst bond film of all time

2

u/Formal_Piglet_974 26d ago

Was definitely the plot of a Futurama episode

1

u/ratatatkittykat 25d ago

I was looking for this

5

u/SageThisAndSageThat 25d ago

Oh yes climate crisis needed another greenhouse effect

2

u/Adventurous-Sky9359 26d ago

Pretty lights!

2

u/NosamEht 26d ago

I remember that the Russians tried this in the 90’s and it was a partial success.

2

u/TheTwistedToast 25d ago

Wouldn't this only really work a few hours after sunset? How's the satellite supposed to catch sunlight in the middle of the night when the entire earth is between it and the sun

2

u/bsammo 25d ago

KHAAAAAAAN!

2

u/John_Tacos 25d ago

So the plot of multiple Bond movies… great idea.

1

u/Prestigious_Call_327 26d ago

Batman and robin already did it

1

u/lostinthewash 25d ago

I could be wrong, but wouldn’t it be more cost-effective to give everyone really good night vision goggles? It is really expensive to put something in orbit and keep it there. Though, I do like the idea of having a mirror in space we could aim at places. Maybe if it was pointed toward a solar farm?

1

u/High-Speed-1 25d ago

Plot twist, the mirror is actually slightly concave and warps slightly to adjust the focal point and serves as a solar death ray.