Free Astronomy Magazine March-April 2019

44 MARCH-APRIL 2019 ASTRONAUTICS T his simulation shows the fleet of cubesats already in forma- tion, seen from the outside of their orbit. By opening the sails of one-half of the cubesats, the word “hello” was composed. Below, the result as seen from the ground. [StartRocket] “When phones don’t work, during zero vis- ibility, power cuts and catastrophical emer- gencies – government can use the display for urgent notifications for the popula- tion.” This statement leaves one a bit per- plexed, especially given the fact that, in an emergency situation, it may be difficult to arrange the message that needs to be magnitude -8 (!) and that the orbits will be calculated in order to cause the least possi- ble disturbance to researchers. The com- pany also emphasizes the possibility of using their Orbital Displays to spread mes- sages of public utility in the event of seri- ous continental calamities. About this, here is what the StartRocket’s website reports: