This solution imagined by the researchers may seem completely insane, but it is nevertheless very real. Their proposal is to build a “cosmic parasol” which would project its shadow on our planet to cool it.
When we come to imagine such solutions, the situation is truly critical. Indeed, the European Copernicus program released its results in January: 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. With 14.98°C, it exceeded by 0.17°C the year 2016, which until then was the record holder. Global warming is not slowing down, quite the contrary.
Faced with this sword of Damocles, researchers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the Asher Space Research Institute, led by Professor Yoram Rozen, imagined this giant parasol project. This could reduce the solar radiation that hits the Earth from space.
The cosmic parasol
The idea of this space device, once deployed, is that it can precisely modulate solar exposure by blocking part of the sun’s rays to cool the atmosphere in a controlled manner. To do this, it would be necessary to build the parasol in orbit from a multitude of elements strong enough to withstand space conditions. Once assembled, the parasol (with an area close to a country like Argentina) could cast a partial shadow on the Earth’s surface.
The object, of impressive size, would be sufficiently effective to impact the rate of warming of the Earth. According to projections, the device could reduce the overall solar irradiation suffered by our planet by 1 to 2%.
Technical and financial challenges
The project is well thought out in absolute terms, but we are still far from seeing the parasol orbit around us. Indeed, the first obstacle is the cost; Estimated at between $10 and $20 million, the prototype is not particularly cheap. However, if it is sufficiently effective in theory, what are these few million dollars given the urgency of the situation?
The second obstacle is more of a technical nature. Sending a gigantic parasol into space only to have it completely torn apart by space debris or damaged by solar storms would be an aberration. The project is therefore, for the moment, very complex to implement.
Let’s be clear, this cosmic parasol is currently closer to science fiction than anything else. Even if it never sees the light of day, it perfectly illustrates the inclination of certain members of the scientific community to turn to fairly radical geoengineering solutions to reduce climate risk.
Source : Trust My Science
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