Scientists want to test a solar umbrella that could help fight climate change
a year ago
- #space technology
- #solar umbrella
- #climate change
- Scientists are testing a solar umbrella to reduce Earth's heat from the sun.
- A small sunshade will be tested at the L1 Lagrange Point as a precursor to a larger mission.
- A 12U CubeSat with a 144-meter solar sail will demonstrate the system's effectiveness.
- Space sails could help propel spacecraft and maintain position using sunlight.
- The goal is to limit direct sunlight on Earth to reduce atmospheric heat.
- The mission costs $10 million and relies on autonomous tech due to communication delays.
- Success could lead to scaling up the process, but more missions may be needed.
- Details of the plan have been published in Acta Astronautica.