A Russian start-up company wants to take billboard advertisements to the next level, by placing them in space. In the next few years when you look up at the night sky, you might be more likely to see a glowing Coca Cola advert than a star constellation. The team behind the absurd idea is a Russian firm called StartRocket and it hopes to put banners orbiting Earth at an altitude of 400-500 kilometres (248-310 miles), according to the startup’s website.
Satellites would lead each banner, which is a collapsible sail that reflects light from the sun to show the advertisements.
As the sails’ rely on the sun to be visible, they would only be visible at dusk and dawn.
Project leader Vlad Sitnikov told Futurism: “We are ruled by brands and events.
“The Super Bowl, Coca Cola, Brexit, the Olympics, Mercedes, FIFA, Supreme and the Mexican wall.
“The economy is the blood system of society. Entertainment and advertising are at its heart.
“We will live in space, and humankind will start delivering its culture to space. The more professional and experienced pioneers will make it better for everyone.”
However, astronomers would disagree with Mr Sitnikov’s use of the word “better” and are angered by the proposal.
Astronomer John Barentine of the International Dark Sky Association told Astronomy.com: “It’s a threat to the ability to do astronomical research from the ground.
“Every one of those moving blips of light in the night sky is something that can interfere with our ability to collect photons from astronomical sources.”
Patrick Seitzer, an astronomy professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, added: “You’ll never see them at midnight, for example.
“Depending on the orbit chosen, they might be visible for a few days, and then not visible for a week or more.
“Launching art projects like this with no commercial, scientific, or national security value seems unwise.”