Under the plan, around 4,000 reflector satellites, each measuring up to 55 metres wide, would be deployed to redirect sunlight to selected locations such as cities or solar power stations during nighttime hours. The company says the system aims to provide additional daylight and enhance solar power generation when solar panels are normally inactive.
However, experts have warned that the project could threaten one of the planet’s most fragile shared resources: natural darkness.
The astronomical community has expressed particular concern. Studies led by Dr Alejandro S. Borlaff at NASA’s Ames Research Center have found that existing satellite constellations are already disrupting astronomical observations. Reflective satellite surfaces can leave bright streaks across telescope images, making it harder to observe faint celestial objects.
Reflect Orbital plans to place its mirrors in a sun-synchronous orbit along the boundary between day and night, allowing sunlight to be reflected onto Earth while the surface below is in darkness.
Scientists warn that this orbital position would make the satellites brightest at dawn and dusk, periods that are critical for astronomical research and many biological processes.
The company has applied for a licence from the Federal Communications Commission for its first test satellite, named Earendil-1, which is expected to launch in early April 2026. During the test, observers in designated areas may see a bright light moving across the sky.
Although Reflect Orbital says the mirror will tilt away after each pass, experts caution that atmospheric scattering could still allow light to spread beyond the intended target zones.
Some estimates suggest the reflected light could appear several times brighter than a full moon and be visible from distances of up to 96 kilometres. Even short appearances could interfere with telescope data and disrupt natural habitats across wide regions.
