A U.S. startup’s ambitious plan to illuminate Earth’s night sky using a constellation of orbiting mirrors is drawing sharp criticism from astronomers concerned about potential environmental and observational disruptions.
Reflect Orbital proposes a commercial service that would bounce sunlight onto specific areas “on demand,” aiming to provide intense illumination during nighttime hours. The company envisions users controlling these “artificial suns” via a mobile application, selecting desired points on an interactive aerial map.
Scientists warn that the reflected beams could significantly alter the natural night environment and negatively impact ecosystems. John Berentine, an astronomer at the Silverado Hills Observatory, told Space magazine the light reflected by these satellites would be “very intense, four times brighter than the full Moon.”
He added that formations of multiple satellites could cause atmospheric dispersion. This phenomenon could affect neighboring regions, disturbing local wildlife and hindering astronomical observations. A sky filled with artificial mirrors, critics suggest, could obscure the natural view of stars.
The company, co-founded by former SpaceX intern Ben Nowack, has secured authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch its first demonstration spacecraft. This 18-meter-long vessel is slated for launch in April 2026.
This initial launch is intended to pave the way for a larger network of approximately 4,000 mirror-equipped satellites. Reflect Orbital states its technology could “strengthen U.S. national defense” but ultimately aims to offer a global service.
Initial demonstrations showed the system capable of producing light intensity comparable to a full Moon. The company maintains this is only the beginning of the system’s potential.
While pricing for subscriptions has not yet been disclosed, the venture has already garnered significant interest. Over 260,000 requests for the service have been registered from 157 countries.
The target clientele includes governments and large corporations. Potential applications span defense, industrial agriculture, and the illumination of large-scale infrastructure.