Reflect Orbital, a startup based in California, is determined to transform the solar power industry by launching a cluster of mirrors into space. The company aims to transmit sunlight to solar power plants, enabling them to produce electricity even after dark. Ben Nowack, founder and CEO of Reflect Orbital, presented the company’s plans at the International Conference on Energy from Space. According to Space magazine, a prototype of Reflect Orbital’s light-reflecting satellite is expected to launch next year.
Reflect Orbital plans to develop a constellation of 57 small satellites that will orbit the Earth in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 600 km. These satellites will travel around the Earth from pole to pole, ensuring that they cover each point on Earth at the same time of day twice within a 24-hour period. This synchronized movement will provide an additional 30 minutes of sunlight to power plants at crucial times when energy is needed most.
While the cost of solar cells has decreased by 90% over the past 15 years and their efficiency continues to improve, the intermittent nature of solar power production remains a challenge. Solar power plants are less productive on cloudy days and completely shut down during the night. Battery systems and other forms of renewable energy currently fill these gaps. However, Reflect Orbital’s innovative satellite technology offers a promising solution to these problems.
Reflect Orbital’s satellite is lightweight, weighing only 16 kg, and is equipped with a large mylar mirror for deployment in orbit. The mylar material is commonly used in space for insulation and packaging. The satellite’s mirrors will be positioned to concentrate sunlight into a focused beam that can be redirected and adjusted based on the needs of solar farm operators.
In late 2019, Reflect Orbital completed successful mirror tests using balloons floating 3 km above a solar farm in California, demonstrating the potential for its technology to significantly enhance energy production.
Reflect Orbital is actively seeking investment capital to launch its first test satellite into space in 2025. The company’s innovative approach has the potential to further reduce costs and increase the efficiency of solar power production, making it an essential player in the future of renewable energy.
With its innovative technology and commitment to reducing costs and increasing efficiency, Reflect Orbital could revolutionize how we generate electricity from renewable sources.
