Reflecting Sunlight After Dark: US Startup Books Indian Rocket Launches to Test Nighttime Solar Service

A U.S. startup has secured two launches on Indian rockets to test a novel concept: selling reflected sunlight to Earth after dark. The company aims to deploy orbiting mirrors that would beam sunlight down to solar farms at night, potentially boosting renewable energy output. The test missions, planned aboard Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) vehicles, mark a significant step toward commercializing space-based solar reflection. This matters because it could help address the intermittency of solar power, a key hurdle in the global transition to clean energy. However, the idea raises questions about light pollution, environmental impact, and who regulates such activities. With no international framework yet for space-based energy services, the startup's tests could set precedents. The coming launches will be closely watched by energy companies, astronomers, and policymakers alike.