Latest news with #ReflectOrbital
Fox News
04-03-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Order sunlight whenever and wherever you want on demand
You won't believe what's happening in the world of renewable energy right now. Imagine being able to tap into the sun's limitless power, even after the stars come out. That's exactly what Reflect Orbital, a trailblazing startup led by Tristan Semmelhack and Ben Nowack, is working on. They're developing a constellation of mirrors in space that can beam sunlight to Earth at night, essentially selling daylight on demand. The sun, our trusty fusion reactor in the sky, packs an incredible 24 trillion times more energy than we currently use, making it the ultimate renewable resource. Reflect Orbital's mission is nothing short of revolutionary, harnessing this boundless energy to change how we think about power forever. Reflect Orbital's concept involves deploying large mirrors in space to capture sunlight and redirect it to specific locations on Earth. This innovative approach could extend the operational hours of solar farms, effectively allowing them to generate power even after sunset. The company plans to use satellites positioned approximately 370 miles above Earth, equipped with 33-square-foot ultra-reflective Mylar mirrors. Each deployment is expected to illuminate a 3-mile-wide area for about four minutes. The potential applications of this technology are vast and varied. Customers, including businesses, governments and individuals, will be able to request light bursts by simply entering their location's GPS coordinates online. Reflect Orbital faces significant technical challenges, including atmospheric scattering, cloud interference and the need for extreme precision in directing sunlight from space. To address these issues, the company has brought on experts from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to validate the physics and ensure the project's feasibility. Reflect Orbital recently secured a $6.5 million seed round led by Sequoia Capital, marking Sequoia's first space investment since SpaceX in 2020. The company has already conducted successful experiments using a hot-air balloon with a large mirror and plans to deliver its first space-based sunlight service in the fourth quarter of 2025. Currently, Reflect Orbital is developing a constellation of satellites aimed at providing sunlight to thousands of solar farms after dark. They envision deploying a ring of 57 satellites in sun-synchronous orbit, which would allow them to provide an additional 30 minutes of sunshine to a solar farm anywhere on Earth. Notably, their website currently indicates that applications for this service are closed. While the concept may seem a bit out there, it's grounded in sound scientific principles and backed by serious investors. As we continue to grapple with global energy challenges and climate change, innovations like this may play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future. As Reflect Orbital moves forward with its ambitious plans, the world will be watching to see if they can truly bring sunlight to Earth after the sun has set, potentially ushering in a new era of solar power utilization. What other innovative applications could you imagine for space-based solar reflection technology beyond what's currently proposed? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
The National
14-02-2025
- Business
- The National
Catching rays from space: The company holding up a mirror to the Earth
Picture sitting on a beach in Dubai in the middle of the night as a cool breeze sways – but in natural sunlight. Ben Nowack, CEO and co-founder of California tech start-up Reflect Orbital, says this could soon be possible here in the UAE. The entrepreneur has developed a technology that can send mirrors into space to reflect rays from the Sun back to Earth. Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of satellites equipped with expansive mirrors into Earth's orbit. These mirrors would reflect sunlight on to specific areas of the planet after sunset, providing solar power, even when the sun goes down. The company plans to offer this service to solar farms, enabling them to generate electricity during periods when traditional solar energy is unavailable. Each beam would light up an area about 5km in diameter, or about the size of Palm Jumeirah. "When you're in the spot, it's going to be bright but when you're outside of the spot, you'll just see the light on the ground, unless you're looking directly at the satellite and purpose," said Mr Nowack. A timeline for launch is yet to be announced, but Mr Nowack told The National that it could be as early as the beginning of next year. After that, launches will happen rapidly. "We'll go from one satellite to 100 quite quickly, and then from 100 to 1,000 pretty quickly. And then, after that, I think it'll be even faster," he said. "When you start scaling up for energy, you start wanting to place orders for several thousand satellites at once." Mr Nowack, a former SpaceX intern, added that the project has the backing of Elon Musk's firm. "We're not building rockets. SpaceX handles that. They will launch our satellites. We go into orbit, and then we sell the sunlight to crossovers." Solar, Mr Nowack says, is the natural choice when it comes to the future of clean energy. "Every second, the Sun makes 5,000 times more energy than humanity has ever consumed, and we're so good at building solar farms," he said. In September, Reflect Orbital announced the conclusion of its $6.5 million seed round, led by Sequoia Capital, with participation from Starship Ventures. The main use for this technology is to provide solar energy to solar farms during the night, thereby increasing their energy output and efficiency. However, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai this week, Mr Nowack shared that there are other uses, such as street lighting, agricultural purposes, mining and construction. "A lot of people will also use this to curb seasonal depression. We got a lot of applications from Scandinavia," said Mr Nowack. "If you are in a valley and it's winter time, you're not getting very much daylight, so you spend a lot of time in the darkness, and people struggle with depression." Seasonal applications could extend to the Middle East, lighting up areas at night during the summer. "People will often leave in the summer because it's too hot. So with our technology, we can light up an area at night when it's cooler." In January, the UAE launched what it called the 'world's first' facility that can provide renewable energy at scale around the clock. The $6 billion project, led by Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar, will integrate 5 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 gigawatt hours of battery storage to generate 1 gigawatt of "uninterrupted clean power". 'For decades, the biggest barrier facing renewable energy has been intermittency,' Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said. 'It has been the moon shot challenge of our time. How can we power a world that never sleeps with energy sources that do? This will, for the first time ever, transform renewable energy into baseload energy. It is a first step that could become a giant leap.' The UAE is already home to a variety of solar-powered projects, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is set to become the world's largest single-site solar park with a projected production capacity of 5,000MW by 2030. The Al Dhafra Solar Power Plant in Abu Dhabi powers around 200,000 homes and is expected to reduce the emirate's carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2.4 million tonnes annually – roughly the same as removing 470,000 cars from the roads. At an energy event in November, energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said the country, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, will initiate 'one or two' solar farms a year until the end of the decade. Research into space mirrors, solar sails, and harnessing solar space energy dates back to the mid-20th century. A Nasa document published in 1980 refers to "hardware characteristics and applications opportunities of large orbital mirrors" under the space agency's Solares programme. The report describes the deployment of thin film-covered structures that offer value to "terrestrial solar-energy systems". The plans were for Solares unites to be sent to space "assuming Space Shuttle availability", delivering "high-intensity insolation" sun light. The programme did not take off. In 1993, however, Russia's Znamya project took flight. Lead engineer, Vladimir Syromyatnikov, constructed a 65-foot-wide sheet of Mylar, a type of stretched reflective film, that could be unfurled from a central mechanism and launched from the Mir space station. While the Znamya launch in 1993 was hailed a success, further projects did not fully materialise. The BBC reported in 1998 that complaints and concerns were raised from astronomers who were worried about the impacts light pollution might have on the night sky, as well as ecologists concerned about the impacts of artificial light on wildlife and natural cycles.
Al Bawaba
12-02-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
UAE reveals new sustainable energy tech that works with the sun at night
Published February 12th, 2025 - 11:31 GMT ALBAWABA - Reflect Orbital, an aerospace company that captures sunlight and brings it to Earth using mirrors in space to power a solar future and light the world after the sun sets, announced the launch of its new sustainable energy technology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Also Read UAE launches largest solar farm to power cryptocurrency mining Reflect Orbital, the company that sells sunlight after dark Reflect Orbital, the company that refers to itself as 'we sell sunlight after dark' announced the reveal of its new sustainable energy technology that works with the sun at night in Dubai, Nowack, Co-Founder & CEO, stated that his startup aims to illuminate urban landscapes, combat depression in sun-deprived cities, and make solar energy limitless. Previously in January 2025, Nowack discussed his innovative solar project with the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE. The entire system is designed to redirect light to various locations, with the ability to move light anywhere within an 800-kilometer radius in as little as 30 seconds. (Shutterstock) 'The sun already provides 5,000 times more energy than humanity has ever consumed. The challenge isn't generating power; it's getting it where it's needed, when it's needed. This is about making solar limitless,' Nowack to Nowach, Reflect Orbital can help Dubai extend solar energy till night to power both skyscrapers and diverse the startup introduces the concept of lightweight fleets that can direct sunlight beams. Furthermore, the entire system is designed to redirect light to various locations, with the ability to move light anywhere within an 800-kilometer radius in as little as 30 seconds. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Khaleej Times
11-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Sunlight after dark? This entrepreneur wants to make solar energy limitless
Imagine a city that never dims, where factories hum with life even in the darkest hours and agricultural lands thrive under an endless sun. Picture a joystick controlling sunlight, reflecting it on demand at any moment. "We sell sunlight after dark," boldly declared Ben Nowack, co-founder and CEO of Reflect Orbital. In January, Nowack showcased this innovative concept in a meeting with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. When asked about Sheikh Hamdan's reaction, 'It was very positive,' Nowack told Khaleej Times on the second day of the World Government Summit. For the UAE, a nation already investing heavily in solar energy and sustainability, Nowack believes that Reflect Orbital's technology could be a 'game-changer'. With its ambitious Vision 2021 and sustainability goals, the ability to harness sunlight beyond daylight hours aligns perfectly with the UAE's commitment to renewable energy. Nowack emphasised, "In Dubai, we could extend solar efficiency into the night, powering skyscrapers and industries long after the sun sets." Nowack explained how his pioneering venture aims to illuminate urban landscapes, combat depression in sun-deprived cities, and revolutionise agriculture with a product that could essentially be described as "sunlight in a bottle." These innovations promise to ensure that sunlight reaches solar storage facilities even at night, effectively eliminating the challenges posed by the absence of daylight. Reflecting on his experiences, Nowack stated, "Every society and civilisation reaches a tipping point where innovation meets necessity. We are in one of those transformative times, driven by rapid technological change." He elaborated on the potential of this technology to reshape industries and enhance lives. But what does this mean for individuals? Nowack clarified that while the initial focus might be on larger-scale implementations, there is a vision for personal usage as well. "Imagine being able to purchase sunlight for your home during the dark winter months — perfect for those struggling with seasonal depression," he said. This concept extends to various sectors, from construction to agriculture, where the ability to access sunlight on demand could change the game entirely. Nowack's approach raises questions about accessibility and regulation. "It's a case-by-case basis," he explained. "We're working with government leaders to ensure compliance and responsible distribution." He discussed potential applications — from illuminating construction sites to enhancing agricultural productivity. Reflecting on the broader implications, Nowack emphasised that this technology could be pivotal in transitioning the world away from fossil fuels. "We are on the brink of becoming a Type II civilisation, one that harnesses the energy of the sun rather than depleting our planet's resources," he concluded. Nowack, an innovator who thrives on tackling the impossible, has spent years challenging traditional energy paradigms. His fascination with energy consumption and sustainability led him to an extraordinary realisation: Moving sunlight is not only possible but immensely valuable. 'I used a megawatt-hour of electricity in a single month just experimenting, building steam engines, freeze-dryers, and even my own mirrors,' Nowack shared. 'And then it hit me — what if I'm part of the problem? What if the energy crisis isn't just about generation but about availability?' Instead of accepting the limitations of traditional solar energy — which ceases production at night — Nowack envisioned an infrastructure where satellites equipped with reflective mirrors capture sunlight in space and beam it down to solar farms across the planet. The concept isn't entirely new. In 1992, Russian scientists successfully tested a 20-metre space reflector to illuminate the Earth. Nowack and his team have taken this vision further, integrating modern materials and scalable technology to create a dynamic system capable of delivering concentrated sunlight to any location on demand. Reflect Orbital's system operates using fleets of lightweight, deployable mirrors in low-Earth orbit. By strategically positioning them, they can direct beams of sunlight onto designated areas, illuminating solar farms or urban spaces without the need for complex energy storage solutions. The technology allows for instantaneous adjustments, meaning that within 30 seconds, a bright spot of light can be redirected anywhere within an 800-kilometre radius. 'The sun already provides 5,000 times more energy than humanity has ever consumed,' Nowack noted. 'The challenge isn't generating power; it's getting it where it's needed, when it's needed. This is about making solar limitless.'
