Space mirrors: A bright idea for solar panels, or a dim prospect?

The concept of using orbital mirrors to provide light on Earth, once pursued by Russian scientists, is being revisited in the context of modern solar energy challenges. In the 1990s, Russia launched the Znamya 2 project, which involved deploying a 20-meter diameter mirror sail into orbit. This experimental mirror briefly illuminated a 5-kilometer wide area in Russia and parts of Europe with a brightness comparable to a full moon.

However, the Znamya program faced significant setbacks. A second orbital mirror, Znamya 2.5, tore during its deployment in 1999, leading Moscow to abandon the initiative. Despite these past failures, the underlying idea of using space-based mirrors for illumination has resurfaced.

With the rapid global expansion of solar panels, which naturally cease functioning after sunset, the question arises: could orbital mirrors be employed to extend their operational hours? The article ponders whether such a system could provide light during dawn and dusk, or even enable solar farms to generate power 24 hours a day. This concept, though previously shelved, now presents an intriguing possibility for enhancing renewable energy infrastructure.