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Perth: (The Conversation) Last week, three tiny Australian satellites from Curtin University's <keyword id="23932163" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Binar-Space-Program" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Binar Space Program" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Binar Space Program">Binar Space Program</keyword> burned up in Earth's atmosphere. That was always going to happen. In fact, Binar means "fireball" in the Noongar language of the First Nations people of Perth. When a satellite is in low Earth orbit (2,000km or less), it experiences orbital decay as it drags closer and closer to the surface, eventually burning up. <br /><br />But these cube satellites (<keyword id="21533654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CubeSats" source="keywords">CubeSats</keyword>), known as Binar-2, 3 and 4, entered the atmosphere much sooner than originally planned. They only lasted for two months - a third of what was expected. This significantly reduced valuable time for science and testing new systems. <br /><br />The reason for their untimely demise? Our Sun has kicked into high gear, and the Binar satellites are far from the only casualty. Recent high <keyword id="20792842" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solar-activity" source="keywords">solar activity</keyword> has been causing an unexpected headache for satellite operators in the last few years, and it's only increasing. <br /><br /><h2>Why is the Sun so active? <br /></h2><br />Solar activity includes phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares and solar wind - the stream of charged particles that flows toward Earth. <br /><br />This activity is a product of the Sun's ever-changing magnetic field, and approximately every 11 years, it completely flips. At the midpoint of this cycle, solar activity is at its highest. <br /><br />While this cycle is known, specific solar activity is challenging to predict - the dynamics are complex and solar forecasting is in its infancy. <br /><br />In the last few months, indicators of solar activity were more than one and a half times higher than predictions for this point in the current cycle, labelled <keyword id="22712826" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-cycle-25" source="keywords">solar cycle 25</keyword>. <br /><br /><h2>The impact of <keyword id="20087207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-weather" source="keywords">space weather</keyword> <br /></h2><br />Space weather refers to the environmental effects that originate from outside our atmosphere (mostly the Sun). It affects us on Earth in a variety of noticeable and unnoticeable ways. <br /><br />The most obvious is the presence of auroras. In the past few months, auroras have been visible far more intensely and closer to the equator than in the last two decades. This is a direct result of the increased solar activity. <br /><br />Space weather, and solar activity in particular, also creates additional challenges for satellites and satellite operators. <br /><br />Higher solar activity means more solar flares and stronger solar wind - resulting in a higher flux of charged particles that can damage or disrupt electrical components on satellites. <br /><br />It also means an increase in ionising radiation, resulting in a higher dose for astronauts and pilots, and potential disruptions to long-distance radio communications. <br /><br />But for satellites in low Earth orbit, the most consistent effect of solar activity is that the extra energy gets absorbed into the outer atmosphere, causing it to balloon outward. <br /><br />As a result, all satellites less than 1,000km from Earth experience a significant increase in <keyword id="23473319" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="atmospheric-drag" source="keywords">atmospheric drag</keyword>. This is a force that disrupts their orbit and causes them to fall towards the planet's surface. <br /><br />Notable satellites in this region include the International Space Station and the Starlink constellation. These satellites have thrusters to counteract this effect, but these corrections can be expensive. <br /><br />Low Earth orbit also contains many university satellites, such as the Binar CubeSats. Cube satellites are rarely equipped with tools that can adjust their altitude, so they're entirely at the mercy of space weather. <br /><br /><h2>What happened to Binar? <br /></h2><br />The Binar Space Program is a satellite research program operating out of Curtin University. It aims to advance our understanding of the Solar System and lower the barrier for operating in space. <br /><br />The program began operations with its first satellite, Binar-1, in September 2021. This was less than a year into solar cycle 25 when solar activity was relatively low. <br /><br />In these conditions, the ten-centimetre cube satellite started at an altitude of 420km and survived a full 364 days in orbit. <br /><br />The program's follow-up mission - Binar-2, 3, and 4 - were three equally sized CubeSats. However, they were expected to last approximately six months owing to the extra surface area from new deployable solar arrays and a forecast increase in solar activity. <br /><br />Instead, they only made it to two months before burning up. While cube satellite missions are relatively cheap, the premature ending of a mission will always be costly. This is even more true for commercial satellites, highlighting the need for more accurate space weather forecasting. <br /><br />The good news is the Sun will calm down again. Despite the current unexpectedly high solar activity, it will likely slow down by 2026, and is expected to return to a solar minimum in 2030. <br /><br />While this was not an explicit goal of the mission, the Binar Space Program has now poignantly demonstrated the dramatic effects of solar activity on space operations. <br /><br />While the untimely loss of Binar-2, 3 and 4 was unfortunate, work has already begun on future missions. They are expected to launch into far more forgiving space weather. (The Conversation).

Right now, the Sun is far more active than predicted - and small satellites are paying the price

The <keyword id="20371124" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="total-solar-eclipse-2024" source="Orion">total solar eclipse 2024</keyword>, which will grace our skies on October 2, will see the Moon appearing smaller than the Sun. This will leave a bright ring of light peeking out around a darkened centre, resulting in a “Ring of Fire”. The eclipse will be visible between 9:13 PM IST and 3:17 PM IST the following day.<br /><br />While this fascinating astronomical event will draw attention from millions around the world owing to the stunning visual experience, many sceptics are likely concerned about some health concerns that often arise, particularly surrounding the effect of <keyword id="20819846" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Solar-eclipse" source="keywords">solar eclipse</keyword>s on human health. But can a solar eclipse really impact your well-being? Let’s explore the science behind it.<br /><h2><keyword id="21058492" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="eye-safety" source="keywords">Eye safety</keyword> during a solar eclipse<br /></h2>One of the most well-known health risks associated with a solar eclipse is eye damage. The sun’s rays, even during an eclipse, can severely harm the eyes if viewed without proper protection. <keyword id="21247857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-retinopathy" source="keywords">Solar retinopathy</keyword> is a condition caused by direct exposure to the sun's intense light, potentially leading to permanent damage to the retina. The misconception arises because people think that during an eclipse, it's safe to look at the sun when the moon partially covers it. However, this is far from the truth. Viewing a solar eclipse without certified solar glasses or an appropriate viewing device can result in serious vision problems.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109046705" title="How to take the perfect selfie during the total solar eclipse" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Psychological impact<br /></h2>For centuries, solar eclipses have been associated with myths, superstitions, and even fears. Some people may experience anxiety or heightened emotions leading up to or during the eclipse. This psychological stress can manifest physically in ways like headaches or muscle tension, but these effects are largely due to emotional responses rather than the eclipse itself.<br /><h2>Other health concerns: fact or fiction?<br /></h2>Some people also believe that solar eclipses can cause physical pain, such as back aches or headaches. Myths suggesting that solar eclipses can cause digestive issues, skin problems, or even physical pain like backaches are entirely unfounded.<br /><br />This is often attributed to the notion that cosmic disturbances have a direct impact on the human body. However, there is no scientific basis for these claims. Physical ailments that occur during or around the time of an eclipse are more likely coincidental, or they may be psychosomatic — stemming from stress, anxiety, or heightened awareness during the event.<br /><br />These myths are largely perpetuated by cultural narratives and fear of the unknown. Today, we know that solar eclipses are natural phenomena that have no direct impact on human health beyond eye safety concerns. Science continues to dispel these misconceptions, reinforcing that the effects of a solar eclipse are primarily psychological and cultural, not physical.<br /><br />With the right precautions — especially regarding eye protection — there’s no reason to fear this natural phenomenon.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113241382" title="How to pick the best cruises to see the northern lights, eclipses, and galaxies, according to an astrophysicist" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Does a solar eclipse really impact your health?

Earthlings, brace yourselves for a double punch from the Sun! Two massive <keyword id="20069327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronal-mass-ejections" source="keywords">coronal mass ejections</keyword> (CMEs) are headed our way, following a series of intense <keyword id="20115291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-flares" source="keywords">solar flares</keyword> from the active sunspot AR3842.<br /><br />The peak of the Sun’s 11-year <keyword id="20511166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-cycle" source="keywords">solar cycle</keyword> is just around the corner and our star is no better than a cranky baby that can be set off at the slightest provocation. As we approach this <keyword id="21640841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-maximum" source="keywords">solar maximum</keyword>, expected in 2025, <keyword id="21889283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sunspots" source="keywords">sunspots</keyword>, solar flares and CMEs become more frequent. <br /><br />Sunspots like AR3842 — the cause for the most recent attacks — are areas of intense magnetic activity, often serving as the launchpads for powerful flares and CMEs. And CMEs are massive expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona.<br /><br />On October 3rd, it produced the most powerful <keyword id="429902" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-flare" source="Orion">solar flare</keyword> of Solar Cycle 25 to date, classified as an X9.1. This intense burst of radiation ionised the Earth's upper atmosphere, and has since caused a temporary radio blackout over Africa and the South Atlantic. That’s not all, it has also spit out two back-to-back CMEs.<br /><br />The first <keyword id="19930797" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CME" source="keywords">CME</keyword> is expected to hit our planet today, October 4, potentially sparking moderate <keyword id="21529997" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="geomagnetic-storms" source="keywords">geomagnetic storms</keyword>. However, the real fireworks are anticipated on October 6 — when the second, more powerful CME arrives. This solar storm could trigger strong G3-class geomagnetic storms, which could lead to stunning <keyword id="21047058" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="auroras" source="keywords">auroras</keyword> at mid-latitudes.<br /><br />Images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) confirm the CME's potency, aligning with NOAA's forecasts for a strong geomagnetic storm.<br /><br />As these powerful solar storms approach, officials are trying their best to stay updated on the latest information and be prepared for potential disruptions. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and be ready for the possibility of auroras, especially if you live in higher latitudes.<br />

Double Trouble: Sun hurls powerful coronal mass ejections at Earth; radio blackouts, GPS disruptions, auroras likely over the weekend!

IPOs of <keyword id="22105289" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aasan-Loans" source="keywords">Aasan Loans</keyword> (<keyword id="22105288" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Akme-Fintrade" source="keywords">Akme Fintrade</keyword> India) and <keyword id="22105291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="DEE-Piping-Systems" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="DEE Piping Systems" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="DEE Piping Systems">DEE Piping Systems</keyword> (DEE Development Engineers Limited) are set to hit the D-street for subscription today, and will close on Friday, 21st June.<br /><br />With a price band of Rs 114-Rs 120, Aasan Loans, which offers loans to rural and semi-urban populations, aims to raise 132 crores via a fresh issue of 1.1 crore shares. With its niche in vehicle and business financing, experts are advising staying away from the <keyword id="19898327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPO" source="keywords">IPO</keyword>, given how competitive the Indian NBFC space is. The company also harbours significant NPAs, and has had some compliance issues in the past as well.<br /><br />The other mainboard IPO, <keyword id="22105286" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="DEE-Piping" source="keywords">DEE Piping</keyword> Systems, intends to raise Rs 418 crore via combination of fresh issue and offer for sale (OFS). While Rs 325 crores will be raised via fresh issue, Rs 93.01 crores will be raised via OFS. With its price band set between Rs 193-Rs 203, DEE specialises in providing piping solutions to oil, gas, chemicals and power industries.<br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="SME IPO dashboard" comment="subhead" text="SME IPO dashboard"><span data-til="noop">SME IPO dashboard</span></cmsannotation><br />While these are mainboard IPOs, 3 small and medium enterprises (SME), namely <keyword id="22105292" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Falcon-Technoprojects-India" source="Orion">Falcon Technoprojects India</keyword>, <keyword id="22071172" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Durlax-Top-Surface" source="Orion">Durlax Top Surface</keyword> and <keyword id="22105290" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gem-Enviro" source="keywords">GEM Enviro</keyword> are also opening for subscription today. The company, which aims to raise Rs 13.69 crore, offers mechanical and plumbing services, which includes installing air conditioners, water supply and lighting systems. Its share price has been set at Rs 92.<br /><br />The other company on the SME dashboard is Durlax Top Surface, which has 2 brands, namely LUXOR and ASPIRON. The company manufactures solid surface materials, which include UV acrylic solid sheets. The company wants to raise Rs 40.80 crore, out of which Rs 28.56 crore will be raised via fresh issue, and the remaining will be accumulated via offer for sale. The stock’s price band is set between Rs 65-68. <br /><br />Gem Enviro, which specialises in plastic waste management and recycling, aims to raise Rs 44.93 crore via this IPO. Stock analyst Dilip Dawda recommends investing in this IPO for medium to long-term gains, given that the company has paid dividend over the past 2 years<br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="IPOs closing today" comment="subhead" text="IPOs closing today"><span data-til="noop">IPOs closing today</span></cmsannotation><br />IPOs of <keyword id="22105287" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GPES-Solar" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="GPES Solar" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="GPES Solar">GPES Solar</keyword>, which opened on 14th June, and United Cotfab, which opened on 13th June, are closing today. GPES Solar, which is in the business of solar inverters and panels, aims to raise Rs 31 crore. Its IPO was oversubscribed around 408.3 times. Retail investors oversubscribed to the share by around 519.57 times. However, Dawda recommends subscription to this IPO only if you are a market veteran and have surplus, long-term funds to park. <br /><br />The IPO of United Cotfab, which manufactures open-end cotton yarn, is also closing today. It was oversubscribed by 48.27 times in the retail investor category. While the company intends to raise Rs 36.29 crore entirely via fresh issue, experts have raised concerns about the company’s profitability and sustainability. <br /><br />

IPO Overview : DEE Piping, Akme Fintrade, GPES Solar

In the face of an escalating climate crisis, scientists are exploring increasingly unconventional ideas to cool the planet. One of the more intriguing — and surprising — proposals is the use of <keyword id="23626780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="diamond-dust" source="keywords">diamond dust</keyword> injected into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and reduce global temperatures. A team of climatologists, meteorologists, and <keyword id="19912640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="earth" source="keywords">Earth</keyword> scientists found that injecting synthetic diamond particles might be the most effective way to combat <keyword id="19942740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming" source="keywords">global warming</keyword>.<br /><h2>Just chill, chill</h2>Global temperatures are rising rapidly, and scientists warn that we may have already reached a tipping point. Simply reducing <keyword id="19951337" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-emissions" source="keywords">carbon emissions</keyword> may no longer be enough. Some experts argue that we need active measures to cool the planet and prevent further catastrophic changes to global weather patterns. One potential solution? <keyword id="23626781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-geoengineering" source="keywords">Solar geoengineering</keyword> — a method that involves injecting <keyword id="23626782" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reflective-particles" source="keywords">reflective particles</keyword>, or aerosols, into the atmosphere to bounce sunlight back into space.<br /><br />Historically, sulphur dioxide has been the leading candidate for this approach. Released naturally by volcanic eruptions, sulphur dioxide is known to have a cooling effect on the Earth by reflecting sunlight. However, the downside of injecting it artificially is significant: it could lead to acid rain, damage the ozone layer, and disrupt weather patterns.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114118159" title="Delhi vs. air pollution: Minister pushes for ‘artificial rains’ in city ahead of Diwali as AQI remains worse than ever" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The new study aimed to find a better alternative by modelling the impact of seven different materials: calcite, diamond, aluminium, silicon carbide, anatase, rutile, and sulphur dioxide. Their 3D <keyword id="19912529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-models" source="keywords">climate models</keyword> factored in light reflection, how long the particles would stay in the atmosphere, and whether they would clump together — something that could diminish their effectiveness.<br /><h2>Why diamonds?</h2>The surprising result of the research was that diamond dust emerged as the most promising candidate. Tiny synthetic diamond particles proved to be highly effective at reflecting both sunlight and heat, while also remaining suspended in the atmosphere for a sufficient period. Unlike sulphur dioxide, diamonds are chemically inert, meaning they would not react with other atmospheric elements to cause harmful side effects like acid rain.<br /><br />The models suggested that injecting 5 million tons of synthetic diamond dust into the atmosphere annually could reduce global temperatures by 1.6°C over the course of 45 years. This kind of cooling would be enough to counteract some of the most severe effects of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> and potentially buy time for other long-term solutions.<br /><h2>The cost conundrum</h2>Despite the effectiveness of diamond dust in the simulations, the practical challenge of this approach lies in its cost. Producing and distributing the necessary amount of <keyword id="20001023" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="synthetic-diamonds" source="keywords">synthetic diamonds</keyword> would come with an astronomical price tag — an estimated $200 trillion. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly double the size of the global economy in 2023. While the benefits of <keyword id="23626783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cooling-the-planet" source="keywords">cooling the planet</keyword> are clear, such a high cost makes this solution far from feasible in the immediate future.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="97766424" title="A new climate solution involves shooting moon dust into space to create a &amp;#39;solar shield&amp;#39; around Earth, but scientists say it&amp;#39;s a risky last resort" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>While the diamond dust concept is still in the research phase, the study underscores the urgency of exploring all possible solutions to cool the planet. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, unconventional ideas like this could play a role in the global effort to mitigate climate change.<br /><br />The findings of this research have been published in <em>Geophysical Research Letters</em> and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110575">here</a>.

Diamonds in the Sky: Scientists want to inject diamonds into our atmosphere to cool the planet!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new law proposed by Germany will limit which solar producers are reimbursed when energy prices fall.</li><li>A renewable supply glut has caused prices to often fall into negative territory.</li></ul><p>An overload of solar power in Germany has piled up costs on the government, prompting a new draft law that would limit subsidies for the country's industry players, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-28/germany-to-cut-some-solar-farms-off-subsidies-amid-oversupply">Bloomberg</a> reported.</p><p>The outlet cited fresh plans to restrict which producers will receive subsidies when energy falls below a fixed price. Given how often wholesale power prices have dropped into negative territory, this has been an issue for the state.</p><p>The government has previously estimated that German renewable subsidies would <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-29/germany-s-climate-transition-costs-to-spiral-as-subsidies-double">reach $21.6 billion this year</a>.</p><p>That's as the country's solar buildout has brought so much renewable energy online that wholesale power prices have frequently fallen below zero. This trend is especially evident during the <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/solar-panel-supply-german-electricity-prices-negative-renewable-demand-green-2024-5">sunny summer months</a> and has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-29/germany-s-climate-transition-costs-to-spiral-as-subsidies-double">ongoing throughout Europe</a>.</p><p>However, since German producers are guaranteed to receive a minimum strike price, the government is responsible for covering the difference in prices. This so-called "feed-in tariff" reimburses renewable companies for contributing to the public grid.</p><p>The new draft law seeks to limit which solar producers are required to sell their output to electric exchanges and, by extent, who is eligible for feed-in tariffs. Currently, plants with 100 kilowatts of capacity are required to participate. By the start of 2027, this will drop to 75 kilowatts.</p><p>Also implemented is an earlier law that allows the government to withhold payments for mid-sized and large solar projects, anytime wholesale market prices turn negative, Bloomberg said.</p><p>This could trigger uncertainty in a market that has ballooned since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an event that caused Europe to search for alternatives to Moscow's energy supply.</p><p>Meanwhile, analysts have noted this year that supplementary investments in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/solar-panel-supply-german-electricity-prices-negative-renewable-demand-green-2024-5">battery technology and the electric grid</a> are needed if renewable energy is to escape negative pricing.</p>

Germany's government is making life more difficult for solar farms that it often has to subsidize

<keyword id="22948419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reflect-Orbital" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reflect Orbital" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reflect Orbital">Reflect Orbital</keyword>, a California-based startup, has set its sights on a futuristic goal: providing "<keyword id="22948420" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sunlight-on-demand" source="keywords">sunlight on demand</keyword>" using orbiting mirrors in space. The company's vision is to address one of the biggest challenges in <keyword id="19915217" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-energy" source="keywords">solar energy</keyword> — the inability to generate power after sunset or during cloudy days — by using a fleet of <keyword id="20279522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-satellites" source="keywords">small satellites</keyword> equipped with highly reflective <keyword id="22948421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mylar-mirrors" source="keywords">Mylar mirrors</keyword>.<br /><h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">How the technology works</h3>Reflect Orbital plans to deploy 57 small satellites into low-Earth orbit. Each satellite will be outfitted with a 33-square-foot reflective Mylar mirror. These mirrors are designed to reflect sunlight down to Earth, targeting <keyword id="20658734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-farms" source="keywords">solar farms</keyword> and extending their operational hours by providing an extra 30 minutes of sunlight after sunset or before sunrise. The mirrors will focus sunlight into a concentrated beam, directed by solar farm operators using a simple interface, where users can log in, provide GPS coordinates, and request sunlight.<br /><div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1826682383514697993"></div>The idea is to make solar energy more available when it’s most needed — not just during daylight hours, but also in the early morning and evening when electricity demand is typically higher. This could potentially increase the efficiency and profitability of <keyword id="20423867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-power-generation" source="keywords">solar power generation</keyword>, as energy produced during these periods can be sold at higher rates.<br /><h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Potential challenges</h3>Despite the excitement around this technology, there are several challenges that Reflect Orbital will need to overcome. Weather conditions such as thick clouds or storms could obstruct the reflected sunlight, limiting its effectiveness. Seasonal changes that affect the angle and duration of sunlight might also present difficulties. Additionally, the potential environmental impact, including light pollution and interference with astronomical observations, has raised concerns among scientists and environmentalists.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112805908" title="How will Sunita Williams’ body have changed when she returns from space in February 2025?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Reflect Orbital is aware of these challenges and has designed the mirrors to minimise light pollution. The company has also tested its technology using a hot air balloon, which successfully simulated the satellite mirrors' effect by reflecting sunlight down to a solar farm. According to co-founder <keyword id="22948422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ben-nowack" source="keywords">Ben Nowack</keyword>, the company was able to generate "500 watts of energy per square metre" of solar panel, which is about "half the brightness of the sun."<br /><div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1767961251186163857"></div>Reflect Orbital is still in the early stages, with plans to launch its first test satellite in 2025. Interest in the project has been strong, with over 30,000 applications already submitted by individuals and organisations eager to participate in the initial offering of "sunlight on demand."<br /><br />This ambitious project could mark a significant step forward in renewable energy technology if successful, providing a novel solution to the intermittent nature of solar power and helping to accelerate the transition to <keyword id="21313059" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-energy-sources" source="keywords">sustainable energy sources</keyword>.<br />

Space startup Reflect Orbital plans to sell "sunlight on demand" — how will it work?

Billionaire <keyword id="19929098" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gautam-adani" source="keywords">Gautam Adani</keyword>'s group will supply <keyword id="19914923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clean-energy" source="keywords">clean energy</keyword> to power Google's cloud services and operations in India, the two firms said on Thursday. <keyword id="19955648" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Adani-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Adani Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Adani Group">Adani group</keyword> will supply 61.4 megawatt of electricity from a new <keyword id="21342349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-wind-hybrid-project" source="keywords">solar-wind hybrid project</keyword> located at its 30 gigawatt (GW) Khavda renewable energy park in Gujarat. <br /><br /> Google powers most of its cloud operations and services through electricity procured from the grid and is planning to run the entire operations on clean energy by 2030. <br /><br /> Adani is expected to start commercial operations in the third quarter of 2025. <br /><br /> At the '<keyword id="23413952" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-for-India" source="keywords">Google for India</keyword>' event, the search giant also announced a partnership with CleanMax for sourcing 125.4 MW of clean energy to power its offices and cloud regions in India. <br /><br /> Of the contracted volumes, 66 MW solar energy will come from Rajasthan and 59.4 MW wind energy from Karantaka. <br /><br /> "These projects are expected to start commercial operations in Q4 2025 and will deliver <keyword id="22243112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-free-energy" source="keywords">carbon-free energy</keyword> to the grid where Google operates offices and cloud regions in India," Google said. <br /><br /> While Google made the announcement at the 'Google for India' event here, the Adani Group gave details in a statement. <br /><br /> "Through this partnership Adani will supply clean energy from a new solar-wind hybrid project located in the world's largest renewable energy plant at Khavda, Gujarat. This new project is expected to start commercial operations in the third quarter of 2025," the Adani group statement said. <br /><br /> This innovative collaboration will help advance Google's 24/7 carbon-free energy goal by ensuring cloud services and operations in India are supported by clean energy and thereby contribute to the <keyword id="20289318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-growth" source="keywords">sustainable growth</keyword> of Google in India. <br /><br /> Adani had previously announced plans to set up data centres run on clean energy. It had in October 2022 leased 4.64 lakh square feet of space at its data centre in Noida to Raiden Infotech, an entity of Google.

Adani to supply clean energy for Google's cloud operations in India

10 celestial events to look forward to this October!

The Union Budget for 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, places significant emphasis on <keyword id="19941381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-security" source="keywords">energy security</keyword> and sustainability. As per the government, the current strategy will focus on ensuring that energy resources are readily available, making energy affordable for all citizens and keeping energy costs low to prevent economic strain on consumers.<br /><br />Here's a breakdown of the key initiatives announced:<br /><h2>PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana</h2>One of the standout initiatives is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This program aims to install <keyword id="20366573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rooftop-solar-plants" source="keywords">rooftop solar plants</keyword> across 1 crore households, providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month. As per the FM, the scheme has already seen significant interest, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications.<br /><h2>Pumped Storage Policy</h2>To enhance electricity storage capabilities and integrate more <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> into the grid, the government will introduce a policy promoting pumped storage projects. These projects are crucial for balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111956035" title="Union Budget 2024: What FM Nirmala took from your pocket, what she gave you" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Development of <keyword id="20876045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nuclear-energy" source="keywords">Nuclear Energy</keyword></h2>Recognising the importance of nuclear energy in India's future energy mix, the government plans to invest in new nuclear technologies. The announcement also mentioned partnering with the private sector to develop and set up Bharat <keyword id="20260886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Small-Modular-Reactors" source="keywords">Small Modular Reactors</keyword>.<br /><br />Boasting up to a 300 MW capacity, Small Modular Reactors are mobile, flexible in design and require a smaller footprint. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that need to be built on-site, SMRs can be factory-built. These advantages can add up to significant savings in cost and construction time.<br /><h2>Advanced Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plants</h2>The Budget highlights the completion of indigenous technology development for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants. These plants boast higher efficiency and will be established through a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. The initiative includes government support for fiscal needs and aims to boost local production of high-grade steel and advanced metallurgical materials.<br /><h2>Roadmap for Hard-to-Abate Industries</h2>A significant shift is planned for industries that are difficult to decarbonise. The government will move these industries from energy efficiency targets to emission reduction targets. This transition will be regulated through the Indian Carbon Market, replacing the current '<em>Perform, Achieve and Trade</em>' mode.<br /><h2>Support for Traditional Micro and Small Industries</h2>To promote cleaner energy usage and efficiency, the government will conduct energy audits in 60 clusters of traditional micro and small industries, including brass and ceramics. Financial support will be provided to help these industries switch to cleaner energy forms and implement energy efficiency measures. This initiative will be expanded to 100 more clusters in the next phase.<br /><br />As per Sameer Jain, Managing Director at Primus Partners, MSMEs consume approximately 50% of the nation's power needs while generating over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, additional support — such as climate financing — will be crucial to ensure that the MSME sector adapts well to the green revolution, especially with how the budget has committed support to MSMEs to grow and compete globally.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111953230" title="Union Budget 2024-25: Mobile Phones to get cheaper, as FM Nirmala Sitharaman reduces basic customs duty to 15%" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2><keyword id="22521154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-resilient-crops" source="keywords">Climate-Resilient Crops</keyword></h2>The government will release 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops for cultivation by farmers. With the provision of research funding, including for the private sector, this move is part of a broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity while adapting to climate change.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111957080" title="What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Minerals for Green Technologies</h2>To support the growing demand for minerals used in green technologies, such as cobalt and lithium, the budget proposes exemptions from custom duties for 25 critical minerals and reduction on basic customs duty for two other essential metals. This move aims to bolster the domestic manufacturing of batteries and other components crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.<br /><h2>Development of Climate Taxonomy</h2>A new climate taxonomy will be developed to guide the green transition, ensuring that investments and policies are aligned with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. <br /><br />All in all, the Union Budget 2024-25 sets a promising course for India's energy and sustainability sector. With substantial investments and new initiatives, it aims to accelerate the transition to a greener future, and hopefully take us a step further towards India's net-zero emissions target by 2070.<br />

Free solar electricity to mobile nuclear plants — major sustainability initiatives announced in Budget 2024!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Baiju Bhatt, the cofounder of trading app Robinhood, has a new space startup.</li><li>Aetherflux aims to launch a constellation of satellites to transmit solar power to Earth using infrared lasers.</li></ul><p>When Baiju Bhatt co-founded the stock trading app <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robinhood-collapse-what-happened-retail-investing-meme-stocks-future-finance-2022-2">Robinhood</a> in 2013 with his college best friend, Vlad Tenev, the aim was to "democratize finance for all."</p><p>Robinhood's no-fee, gamified approach to investing made capital markets more accessible than ever before, leading to an IPO in 2021.</p><p>After over a decade at the company, Bhatt stood down as Robinhood's chief creative officer in March to pursue what was described at the time as "other entrepreneurial interests."</p><p>In October, Bhatt announced he was launching Aetherflux, a Silicon Valley-based space startup.</p><p>Aetherflux aims to create a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) that will collect solar power and beam it down to receptors on Earth using infrared lasers.</p><p>Just as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-starlink-spacex-satellite-internet-business-constellation-fleet-elon-musk-mars">Elon Musk's Starlink</a> constellation has transformed communications, Bhatt hopes Aetherflux will revolutionize energy, he told Business Insider in an interview.</p><p>The receptors will be just 10 meters in diameter, Bhatt said, meaning they can be placed virtually anywhere and theoretically provide power to remote locations that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous to reach.</p><p>"If we succeed, we unlock a renewable energy source for humanity that can be delivered virtually anywhere," he wrote in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/allow-me-re-introduce-myself-baiju-bhatt-nu1ic/?trackingId=xecx1MNjQxGa6fapJvT2fA%3D%3D">LinkedIn post</a> announcing Aetherflux.</p><p>If it works, far more solar power can be captured in orbit than through the atmosphere at ground level, and there would be no nighttime or weather disruptions to the power source. It would also free up land used for solar farms on Earth.</p><p>Aetherflux plans to start by powering military operations in remote locations or remote mining operations, Bhatt said.</p><div type="image" title="A profile of Baiju Bhatt smiling in a black t-shirt in front of a beige background." height="3553" width="5324" msid="114432481" hostid="261" sizebytes="611312"></div><p>Bhatt hopes that a single receptor will one day be able to capture enough power for a small neighborhood of homes. He added that they'd need around 100 satellites to provide continuous power to one location.</p><p>The idea of space-based solar power has existed for decades, but theories have generally rested on large constructions being sent into orbit and using microwaves to transmit energy.</p><p>In January 2023, the California Institute of Technology launched a solar space-power demonstrator satellite into orbit for a yearlong mission to test out a range of potential approaches.</p><p>Caltech's president, Thomas F. Rosenbaum, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/space-solar-power-project-ends-first-in-space-mission-with-successes-and-lessons">said the project</a> had shown them that solar power beamed from space "is still a future prospect" but that it "should be an achievable future."</p><p>Aetherflux wants to do things differently by using infrared lasers and a modular approach.</p><p>The science has already been demonstrated; it's just going to be an engineering and economic feat to prove it can be done from space, Bhatt said.</p><p>To begin with, Aetherflux plans to send a single satellite into orbit by the first quarter of 2026 to demonstrate that solar energy transmission is possible.</p><h2 id="f76e6857-d783-49d8-94bf-ab950b9759df">The right time to be in space</h2><p>Though the career jump from finance to the space industry may seem unusual, Bhatt said space has been his "lifelong calling."</p><p>NASA was a part of Bhatt's childhood. His father moved to the US from India to pursue physics and got a job at NASA's Langley Research Center in the 1990s studying atmospheric sciences.</p><p>With a bachelor's in physics and a master's in mathematics, both from Stanford, Bhatt thought he'd be a physicist too. So, Robinhood was a "bit of a detour," he told BI.</p><p>He is still a board member but has stepped back from day-to-day operations.</p><p>One lesson Bhatt said he learned from running the trading app was how powerful capitalism could be in accelerating innovation.</p><p>"If you can take a problem that's been stagnating and you can create a capitalist system around it where people can make money doing something, you'll see the rate of progress really speed up," he said.</p><div type="image" title="Baiju Bhatt (right) and Vlad Tenev, founders of the online brokerage Robinhood." height="4160" width="6240" msid="114432476" hostid="261" sizebytes="601100"></div><p>After meeting with people working on power for DARPA at the beginning of this year and seeing the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-spacex-starship-launch-five-huge-deal-space-travel-2024-10">timeline Starship is on</a>, Bhatt decided that the best opportunities were now in space.</p><p>Since 2009, the sum of private investments in space startups has soared from essentially nothing to $327.3 billion, according to the latest "<a target="_blank" href="https://spacecapital.docsend.com/view/9d69zpfz4ddms3ry">Space Investment Quarterly</a>" report published by venture capital and angel-investment firm Space Angels.</p><p>The industry's value is expected to continue booming. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense/our-insights/space-the-1-point-8-trillion-dollar-opportunity-for-global-economic-growth">McKinsey</a> estimates that the global space economy will be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035, accounting for inflation, up from $630 billion in 2023.</p><p>"It's hard to find something more exciting and impactful than space," said Matthew Weinzierl, a professor of the economics of space at Harvard Business School and coauthor of the upcoming book "Space to Grow."</p><p>"This really is a new frontier, one where technological innovation can create new markets and solve real problems, often in ways we haven't thought of before," he said.</p><p>Weinzierl said that in the past two decades, the US government has created pathways for commercial players, enabling market forces to take hold.</p><p>"Prices to orbit have dropped, launch availability has soared, and a wave of entrepreneurs are finding new ways to create value," he said.</p><div type="image" title="SpaceX's Super Heavy booster as it returned to its launch site, with the sun rising in the background." height="1031" width="1920" msid="114432482" hostid="261" sizebytes="52022"></div><p>With so many more commercially available products, space has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starship-launch-success-elon-musk-vision-cheap-space-travel-closer-2024-3#:~:text=%22With%20Starship%2C%20SpaceX%20is%20poised,in%20an%20email%20on%20Thursday.">never been cheaper</a>.</p><p>Aetherflux is an example of how companies are using off-the-shelf solutions to speed up development. Its satellites are purchased readymade from satellite bus provider <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/palmer-luckey-anduril-apex-defense-tech-space-satellite-surveillance-2024-10">Apex</a>, the high-powered lasers it plans to use are commercially available, and it'll be using <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-launch">SpaceX</a> as a launch partner for its 2026 mission.</p><p>"The part that we're building is the actual optical design, the control systems, and the power transmission link, as well as the ground station," said Bhatt.</p><h2 id="5dda5318-030a-431a-91ff-f205b537a068">The future of Aetherflux</h2><p>When he spoke with BI, Bhatt had just moved into a lab facility in the Bay Area. With a team of 10 employees, he will begin iterating ground tests, developing the system design, and working with regulators.</p><p>He's self-funding the project "completely," he told BI. As one of Robinhood's cofounders, Bhatt's net worth spiked after its IPO in 2021. He is worth around $1.7 billion, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/baiju-bhatt/">Forbes reports.</a></p><p>Although access to space has become more routine and affordable, Weinzierl said there is still a lot of uncertainty around the industry. Some of the ideas and businesses being developed today won't survive, but they'll be "the foundation that tomorrow's entrepreneurs will learn from and build on," he said.</p><p>A self-proclaimed science nerd, Bhatt named his startup after a 19th-century theory about a pervasive medium called the aether, which physicists believed light traveled through.</p><p>"Einstein came along in 1905 and was basically like, nah, that stuff's all wrong. Light is the same in every reference frame," said Bhatt.</p><p>So Aetherflux is named after a disproven scientific theory? Yes, Bhatt agreed with amusement. But he's "laser-focused" on the first mission and adamant that Aetherflux won't fall into the same bracket as its namesake.</p><p>"Space is hard," he admitted, "but we're committed to demonstrating this and making it happen."</p>

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