The Story of Russia's Giant Space Mirror Project
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World
February 9, 2025 09:30
- The dream of sending a huge mirror to space to reflect sunlight onto Earth has roots in the 1920s and faced challenges throughout history.
The Vision of Giant Space Mirrors
A look into the ambitious project of sending mirrors to space to reflect sunlight onto Earth, starting from the 1920s with German scientist Hermann Oberth's vision.
The Nazi Era and Post-War Innovations
During World War II, German physicists revisited the idea for weaponization. In the post-war years, Dr. Krafft Ehricke, a rocket engineer, revived the concept leading to the Power Soletta idea in the 1970s.
Russia's Role and the Znamya Project
Russian scientist Vladimir Syromiatnikov's work on reflective solar sails led to the Znamya project, where the first prototype, Znamya 2, was launched in 1992. Despite technical success, challenges persisted in achieving the desired impact on Earth.
The Failed Attempts and Lessons Learned
Znamya 2.5 aimed for a larger impact, but a series of mishaps led to its failure in 1999. The project faced financial and technical hurdles, marking the end of the ambitious dream of space mirrors illuminating Earth.