A Californian startup’s ambitious plan to beam sunlight to Earth from a constellation of thousands of orbiting mirrors, aimed at providing uninterrupted solar power, is drawing sharp criticism from scientists concerned about its potential impact on astronomy and space pollution.
Scientists warn that illuminating the ground at night with 4,000 such bright satellites could be “potentially devastating” for state-of-the-art terrestrial optical astronomy. Anthony Tyson, chief scientist at the Rubin Observatory, voiced this concern, highlighting the significant disruption to nighttime sky observations.
An analysis cited by Digital Trends indicates that sunlight reflected from a single satellite would cover an area of at least seven kilometers in diameter and appear much brighter than the Moon. This intense, artificial illumination poses a direct threat to astronomical research relying on dark skies.
Beyond light pollution, the plan could exacerbate Kessler Syndrome, a theoretical scenario where increasing orbital debris leads to a cascade of collisions in low Earth orbit. The proposed deployment of thousands of new satellites significantly adds to the orbital mass.
Reflect Orbital, the startup behind the initiative, is developing a system of satellites equipped with giant mirrors designed to reflect sunlight to specific locations on Earth even after sunset. The company aims to address the intermittency of solar energy, allowing photovoltaic plants to generate electricity around the clock.
Each “artificial sun” satellite would weigh approximately 16 kg and be positioned in low Earth orbit. Customers could request illumination through an online platform.
The startup recently applied to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a license to launch a test satellite. Reflect Orbital plans to establish a constellation of nearly 4,000 satellites by 2030.
The company states its system could provide a global energy source, even in hard-to-reach regions, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Its services are categorized into “Light,” offering nighttime illumination for various applications from rural areas to emergency response, and “Energy,” focused on redirecting light to solar power plants.
Reflect Orbital announced intentions to begin limited “World Tour” lighting experiments in 10 “iconic” locations by Spring 2026, with broader services to follow.
However, the technology’s effectiveness is also contingent on clear skies in target locations, adding another potential operational limitation to its ambitious scope.