A California-based startup has revealed a bold idea that could completely change how Earth experiences night. The company wants to launch thousands of satellites equipped with large mirrors into space. These mirrors would reflect sunlight back onto Earth during the night, creating artificial brightness in specific areas.
A Plan to Bring Sunlight Back at Night
The project, named Reflect Orbital, has requested approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin with its first experimental satellite by 2026. The company describes its concept as “selling sunlight,” suggesting that it could be used to light up cities, help farmers extend crop-growing hours, or generate extra solar energy after sunset.
According to the proposal, each satellite would carry a foldable mirror around 59 feet wide, which could redirect sunlight to an area about three miles across. The reflected light would be four times brighter than a full moon, enough to clearly illuminate streets, buildings, or fields. In the long run, the company plans to expand its system to as many as 4,000 mirror-equipped satellites by 2030, if the first mission is successful.
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Future versions of these satellites could have even larger mirrors—up to 177 feet across—increasing both the size and intensity of the reflected light. The company claims that its system would be highly targeted, meaning it would only shine light over specific regions for short periods, rather than lighting up the entire night sky.
Scientists Fear Major Damage to the Night Sky
Astronomers and space experts, however, are deeply concerned. They say this project could have catastrophic effects on the natural night sky. These giant mirrors are not like regular communication satellites. While systems like Starlink sometimes reflect sunlight unintentionally, Reflect Orbital’s mirrors are designed specifically to bounce sunlight back toward Earth.
Scientists believe this could make it nearly impossible to observe stars, planets, and galaxies. Even a single mirror in orbit could interfere with telescopes, causing bright flashes that disrupt astronomical observations. With thousands of mirrors reflecting sunlight at once, the night sky could become permanently altered.
Experts warn that stargazing and professional astronomy could suffer serious setbacks. The light from these mirrors might blind optical sensors and create streaks of brightness across telescope images, ruining valuable data. The project could also disturb ongoing space research that depends on the dark, natural background of the sky.
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Aviation professionals have also raised concerns. Bright flashes from orbiting mirrors could distract or temporarily blind pilots flying at night, posing safety risks. Since the satellites would move quickly across the sky, the light patterns could appear suddenly and unpredictably, increasing the danger for aircraft in certain routes.
The company’s first planned satellite, EARENDIL-1, would orbit Earth from pole to pole in what’s known as a sun-synchronous orbit. This special orbit would allow it to stay aligned with the boundary between day and night, making it possible to reflect sunlight from the bright side of Earth to the darker side. Scientists say this method would briefly extend twilight in certain regions.
Engineering, Environmental, and Safety Concerns
While the idea of bringing sunlight back at night sounds futuristic, experts doubt whether it is technically or environmentally practical. Controlling large mirrors in space is extremely difficult. Each mirror must unfold correctly, remain stable, and stay in position while orbiting Earth at high speeds.
Similar attempts in the past have failed. In the 1990s, Russia’s Znamya project tried to reflect sunlight onto Earth using orbiting mirrors, but both missions ended with mechanical failures and the satellites eventually burned up on reentry.
Scientists also question the usefulness of redirected sunlight for energy or farming. The light from these mirrors would be thousands of times weaker than direct sunlight, making it nearly useless for power generation. Solar panels would produce only a fraction of their normal output, making the project economically unrealistic.
There are also physical dangers. Large mirrors could be hit by micrometeorites or debris, causing them to spin uncontrollably and flash light unpredictably across the planet. Similar problems have already happened with reflective spacecraft in other missions.
Beyond light pollution, these satellites could worsen space congestion. With thousands already in orbit, adding massive mirrors increases the risk of collisions. Broken mirrors could create fragments of debris that threaten other satellites.
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When the mirrors reach the end of their lives, they would eventually reenter the atmosphere. Though they might burn up, scientists warn this could release metal particles and contribute to atmospheric pollution.
The company says it will conduct an environmental risk study after its first test launch, but experts argue such reviews should happen first. They warn that approving even one such satellite could encourage others to follow, permanently altering the natural night sky and erasing the centuries-old ability to observe the stars.
