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Take a cluster of cubesats, shoot them into orbit, outfit them with sunlight reflecting mylar sails, and spell out PEPSI.
Yes, they are working on it.
A Russian company called StartRocket says it’s going to launch a cluster of cubesats into space that will act as an “orbital billboard,” projecting enormous advertisements into the night sky like artificial constellations. And its first client, it says, will be PepsiCo — which will use the system to promote a “campaign against stereotypes and unjustified prejudices against gamers” on behalf of an energy drink called Adrenaline Rush.
Typical reactions toward the idea are as cool as interstellar space, for example when discussed on futurism's forums individuals opined
“This startup made an AI read every dystopian fiction novel and is turning its cursed ramblings into business plans,” wrote one. Another said that “shooting down those ads should be legal.”
StartRocket has now successfully tested the idea out by launching one of their reflectors from a helium balloon into space where it was visible from the ground.
StartRocket plans to launch the system into orbit in 2021. It’s currently raising funds, it says — and a $20,000 investment will buy eight hours of advertising in the night sky.
Hopefully we can use them to project the Milky Way so people can see the stars again.
(Score: 2) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Tuesday April 16 2019, @02:50PM
Iridium flares last only seconds, and only work when the conditions are right (after sunset/before sunrise but only where the Sun is reflectable, not deep night), and the flare only casts a beacon over a certain area of the earth. The flares, though, are accidental and not intentional behavior. (And supposedly the next generation of Iridium flares far more dimly).
These folks can steer their sats for maximum reflectivity, but they still don't get a 24-hour or even an all-night pass. If they're geostationary they only get those dusk/dawn windows; if they're not station-keeping then the period would last only as long as the constellation is visible from horizon to horizon as it keeps chasing the Sun (minutes only). Nor do they get to blanket half the world with just one constellation of satellites, though that brings little comfort if they choose a major city to do it over as the target region. Given the limitations I'm surprised if they can get the funding. But you never know.
I'm catching a whiff of Mars One shenanigans... at least I hope I am.
This sig for rent.