MIT Technology Review Narrated How one controversial startup hopes to cool the planet
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Jan 6, 2026 A controversial startup claims it can cool the planet by injecting engineered particles into the stratosphere. With $60 million in funding, it aims to revolutionize solar geoengineering. Experts express skepticism over the for-profit model, worried it prioritizes speed over safety. Concerns arise about governance and the need for international cooperation to avoid catastrophic consequences. The company promises transparency and aims for regulatory discussions, but the pressure from investors raises alarms about hasty deployment. It's a bold venture into uncharted climate territory.
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Startup Claims A Swift Tech Fix
- Stardust Solutions claims its particles could counteract 150 years of greenhouse gases and cool the planet rapidly.
- The company positions itself as a faster, tech-driven alternative to slow academic research and public programs.
Founders With High-Level Credentials
- The founders include former Israeli Atomic Energy Commission and Weizmann Institute scientists.
- Stardust employs about 25 scientists and plans a U.S. headquarters to scale its work.
Three-Part Engineering Strategy
- Stardust focuses on three components: particles, aircraft dispersion, and monitoring systems.
- Their plan is to deliver a complete toolkit so governments can decide on deployment.
