Pepsi could be the first company to use satellite display panels

Capitalism is a scourge that even stars can not challenge.

Have you ever looked in the dark night sky, the stars shining like a twinkling light glittering on ebony waves, and you thought, "Would that be prettier with a Pepsi logo"? The Russian company StartRocket has one, and it seems that PepsiCo agrees.

As reported by Futurism, PepsiCo has signed up to be the first customer of the Orbital Display System of StartRocket, a network of satellites designed to project commercials on our irreplaceable company from the sky. The system is still under development, but Olga Mangova from Russian PepsiCo said Futurism that the company "believes[s] in the potential StartRocket ".

"Orbital display panels are the revolution in the communications market," said Mangova.

leading a guerrilla faction to blow up flying billboards that will invade the night sky the next decade, DM me to join

– プ – ッ ト ? (@poopcult) April 15, 2019

It sounds like an April Fool's joke. It sounds like an April joke. Yet, the last two weeks after April 1st, PepsiCo and StartRocket insist that the orbital display is real.

According to StartRocket, the 50 km² the system will be composed of CubeSats – 10cm³ satellites weighing approximately 1.33 kg each which are generally used in low orbit. Using the Mylar sails, it will reflect sunlight back to the eyes of the star observers from its position between 400 and 500 km above the Earth, placing our gods of commercialism in the sky.

And the message that, according to PepsiCo, is so important that it has to be painted through the stars? A "campaign against unjustified stereotypes and prejudice against gamblers" as part of the promotion of the PepsiCo energy drink, Adrenaline Rush. according to KotakuAdrenaline Rush ads characterize players' perceptions of "immature, toxic kids," the "most unjust stereotype of the century."

I can think of a few less fair ones, but of course.

The online reaction to the insertion of ads next to the Moon has been less than enthusiastic. Subsequently, PepsiCo seemed to distance itself from the project by saying Gizmodo by e-mail, he simply participated in an "exploratory stratosphere advertising test using the Adrenaline GameChangers logo".

"It was a punctual event; we do not intend to test or commercially use this technology yet. "

In response, Jon Christian, the writer of FuturismThe initial report, speculates PepsiCo gives up its initial projects because of the "horrified response" from the general public. Or, he thinks PepsiCo may never have thought that the project would be launched, and simply attached his name to the advertisement.

Christian further shared a screen capture the initial press release from StartRocket stating that the PepsiCo Adrenaline GameChangers logo "will be the first branding on the StartRocket orbital display after its launch".

I've actually checked this with a Pepsi representative by e-mail.

Me: StartRocket says it has an agreement with Pepsico Russia, so the first orbital display panel will be an advertisement for an energy drink … Can you confirm if that is correct?

Pepsi: Nice to meet you! Yes it is true.

– Jon Christian (@Jon_Christian) April 15, 2019

StartRocket is currently seeking investment, in the hope of raising $ 35 million by October this year, with the planned launch of the system scheduled for January 2021. Hopefully, we will have more than two years to enjoy the stars.