‘Order Sunlight On Demand’: Start-Up Unveils App To Beam Light From Space To Earth In 30 Second For A Measly 1k Dollars Per Hour

A Silicon Valley-backed start-up has sparked both excitement and skepticism after unveiling a futuristic plan to let users “order sunlight” from space with the tap of an app.

Reflect Orbital claims it can use satellites equipped with reflective surfaces to redirect sunlight onto specific locations on Earth, delivering illumination within just 30 seconds.

In a glossy pitch video, the company demonstrates how customers could request targeted light coverage, potentially extending solar farm operations after sunset or even lighting up live events.

The idea has already attracted serious investor backing, with the firm raising $35 million from major venture capital players including Sequoia Capital and Lux Capital.

Pricing, however, has raised eyebrows, with early estimates suggesting the service could cost around $1,000 per hour.

While the concept sounds like science fiction brought to life, experts say the reality may be far less dramatic.

Due to the laws of physics, particularly diffraction, the reflected beam cannot be tightly focused. Instead, it would spread over an area roughly 5 kilometers wide, significantly reducing its intensity.

Initial projections suggest the light delivered would be around 200 watts per square meter, far dimmer than natural daylight, and closer to a bright overcast sky than direct sunshine.

That limitation has led some observers to question whether the technology would be cost-effective at all, especially given the wide scatter of light beyond the intended target area.

Others have raised environmental concerns, particularly around light pollution.

Astronomers warn that additional artificial الضوء from orbit could interfere with observations of the night sky, complicating research and disrupting telescopic imaging.

The debate echoes earlier attempts at similar concepts, dating back as far as 1923, when scientists first proposed using space-based mirrors to illuminate the Earth, ideas that ultimately failed due to technical and environmental challenges.

Before any real-world deployment can begin, the company must also secure approval from the Federal Communications Commission, which is currently reviewing proposals for initial testing.

For now, Reflect Orbital’s vision remains firmly in the experimental stage, balancing bold ambition with significant practical hurdles.

Whether it becomes a revolutionary new energy tool or another ambitious idea grounded by reality remains to be seen, but it has already succeeded in doing one thing, getting the world talking about the possibility of lighting the night sky from space.