I don’t think this is what NASA had in mind when they pioneered space exploration. Apparently, a Russian company named StartRocket is looking into shooting giant, glowing billboards into our orbital range. And Pepsi seem to be totally on board with the idea.
According to a report, PepsiCo have signed up to be one of the fist companies to advertise in space. Using StartRocket’s set of satellites, known as an Orbital Display system, Pepsi intend to use the technology to advertise an energy drink.
Russian PepsiCo spokesperson, Olga Mangova said in a statement, “Orbital billboards are the revolution on the market of communications.”
So, here’s the thing. The system is made up of a bunch of things called CubeSats. These are 10cm cube satellites that float around at a low orbit. The satellites reflect light from their position 400 to 500km above Earth, thus shining down upon us a message from our consumerist gods.
Understandably, people are not super keen.
This cubesat story is wild. It’s implications if StartRocket actually gets it off the ground are so problematic.
— ?? ?????? (@CraigRoxy) April 15, 2019
Anyone at STARTROCKET who thinks they’re doing good things deserves slow death
— hikari akiyama (@yayoidojima) April 15, 2019
My new startup FUCKTHAT©™ is going to crowdsource burning the startup StartRocket to the ground. https://t.co/sqQ5jhaU4o
— Dennis Detwiller (@drgonzo123) April 15, 2019
So StartRocket seems like a horrible thing. The ad is basically showing how we can ruin beautiful scenic views with dumb ads in space. This will also be a huge pain for satellite launches and astronomy. Fantastic https://t.co/LbC70pzvsN
— Mylan Connolly (@mrmylanman) April 16, 2019
The night sky should not be sold. The stars inspire us, provide perspective & at times solace.
I truly hope @pepsi doesn’t obscure our view w a giant projected advertisement. https://t.co/Q6oY9aYz5y
— Sheril Kirshenbaum (@Sheril_) April 16, 2019
Nope.
Do. not. want. Leave my peaceful night sky alone, thanks. https://t.co/J7v4AcMjA6
— Kayly (@_Mythdust) April 15, 2019
If this is real I’m going to vomit in a bucket and mail it to StartRocket https://t.co/cny9eVQ4ql
— SO hyped (@katerton) April 14, 2019
The night sky is often used by people as an opportunity to escape. Escape from the social world and the online world. Heading out into the middle of no where to camp and look at the stars can be incredibly restorative.
Let’s not put some fucking ads up there, yeah?
Image source: StartRocket
