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Orbital Mirror
A huge reflective surface in orbit around a planet or moon, the purpose of which is to focus sunlight onto the surface. (Read
the full article)
"I am Darth Vader! I love Padame!"
(Anakin Skywalker 9/12/2005 4:12:45 PM ) |
"Orbital Mirrors were actually considered during the Vietnam war to illuminate the DMZ at night.
In the 1950's movie "Gog and Magog", an orbital mirror ( called a heliostat) is suggested as a space based weapon. This was based on an idea of Werhner Von Braun ( See "Conquest of Space ( the book))."
(Penny 1/29/2006 5:48:56 PM ) |
"Also, Orbiting mirrors used as signaling devices for a an orbited manned space station appear in "Brick Moon" by Edward Everrit Hale.
I just needed an excuse to mention this VERY old story that scoops satellites and space stations. "
(Penny 1/29/2006 5:51:13 PM ) |
"Orbital mirrors are also described in Red Mars written by Kim Stanley Robinson in 1993. These are fresnel lenses and can be used for terraforming or as weapons."
(anonymous coward 6/16/2006 1:33:12 PM ) |
"these were not invented by Stover but appear in earlier Star Wars works by Kevin J. Anderson"
( 7/14/2008 4:43:32 AM ) |
More info on Orbital Mirror
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