The solar geoengineering startup Make Sunsets, previously halted in Mexico due to regulatory issues, has resurfaced to conduct balloon launches in Nevada.
The company announced on Tuesday that it had successfully launched three balloons near Reno, each carrying under 10 grams of sulfur dioxide, a key substance in solar geoengineering discussions. Two of these balloons were equipped with location trackers, and one had a camera.
Solar geoengineering involves injecting aerosol particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect sunlight away from Earth, aiming to temporarily cool the planet and mitigate climate change effects.
This concept mimics the cooling effect observed after volcanic eruptions, such as the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, which lowered global temperatures by approximately 1 degree Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Make Sunsets aims to offset carbon emissions with its innovative cooling credits.Although solar geoengineering is not a permanent solution to climate change and is associated with potential risks such as ozone layer damage, respiratory issues, and acid rain, its research is gaining traction.
The White House is overseeing a five-year research plan on the subject, the U.N. Montreal Protocol has addressed it, and philanthropic funding is supporting further study.
Make Sunsets, founded by Luke Iseman and backed by BoostVC, chose Nevada for its launches to avoid interfering with other projects and to operate within familiar regulatory boundaries. The launches were carried out using basic equipment and a makeshift setup, as reported by Time and CNBC.
The startup aims to offer cooling credits to offset carbon emissions and is working to fulfill 2,790 orders from 58 customers.
Despite the innovative approach, Make Sunsets faces the challenge of balancing its ambitious climate goals with the practicalities of running a startup. The FAA has been informed and provided regulations for the safe operation of these unmanned balloons.