Does anyone think its possible to redirect and focus sunlight from a satellite to heat a small area?

Question

We've seen it in movies; used to heat a greenhouse in the middle of a frozen wasteland, and even seen it used as a weapon against 007. But with recent efforts to plan a manned moon base, or even a manned Mars outpost, could a number of sateliets in orbiting above the surface, reflect enough sunlight onto a fixed location to signifigantly increase the temperature in that location.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't know the answer but this is a really interesting question. If you find the answer to this one (I bet it could be done) you should try to solve scrubbing CO2 from the air. There is a billionaire offering $25 million to the person who can do it in a timely and cost effective way. Good Luck!

Answer 2

This is technically quite possible. In fact, this very method is part of a theory about a method of redirecting earth-threatening asteroids. A small probe could be sent to the asteroid on which is a curved mirror that would focus sunlight onto a small spot on the asteroid. This would cause material on that spot to vaporize, creating a very small rocket jet on the asteroid altering it's trajectory very minutely. If this is done long enough in advance of it's approach to Earth, it could be enough to redirect it safely.

Answer 3

Theoretically,Yes. But it would be difficult and somewhat costly. Also there are better things to do with a satellite in space. Anyways with global warming...

Answer 4

We used to use magnifying glass to start fires. When camping they always carried one because if you got pitched into the creek and got wet it still worked.
But right now i believe it is mostly science fiction to do it from space.

Answer 5

Strange as it sound YES, it has been proposed!
Also beaming energy in microwave form back to Earth, to supplement power stations, now that is scary!

Answer 6

Posible but the cost would be very high.

Answer 7

Absolutly possible.