A California-based startup called Reflect Orbital plans to launch satellites equipped with mirrors to reflect sunlight onto Earth during the night [1].
The project introduces the possibility of artificial daylight on demand, but it has sparked significant alarm among astronomers and environmental experts regarding the impact on the night sky.
Reflect Orbital intends to use low-Earth orbit to bounce sunlight toward the night side of the planet [2]. While some reports indicate the project will begin with a single mirror satellite [3], other reports state the company aims to eventually deploy a fleet of 50,000 mirror satellites [4].
U.S. telecom regulators authorized the launch of a giant space mirror in 2025 [4]. The authorization allows the company to move forward with a concept designed to provide illumination for specific purposes on the ground [5].
Scientists have raised concerns that such a constellation would interfere with astronomical observations. The introduction of artificial light into the night sky could obscure distant stars and galaxies, creating a permanent layer of light pollution in the upper atmosphere.
Environmental experts have also questioned the potential effects on wildlife and human circadian rhythms. The ability to eliminate darkness in specific regions could disrupt biological processes that rely on the natural day-night cycle [5].
Despite these concerns, the company said the technology is an innovative solution for nocturnal illumination [1]. The project represents a shift in satellite utility, moving from data transmission and observation to the active manipulation of light reaching the Earth's surface [2].
“Reflect Orbital plans to launch satellites equipped with mirrors to reflect sunlight onto Earth during the night.”
The Reflect Orbital project highlights a growing tension between commercial space ventures and the preservation of the natural night sky. If deployed at scale, this technology could transform low-Earth orbit into a tool for planetary-scale lighting, potentially compromising ground-based astronomy and altering ecological patterns globally.
