These days, space is becoming a busy place filled with satellites for communication, observation, and navigation. The satellite market was valued at $286 billion in 2022. It’s expected to keep growing, especially as mass production techniques gain traction.
One startup, Reflect Orbital, is trying to stand out with a unique idea: a series of massive space mirrors to reflect sunlight to paying customers. They opened reservations for “spots of light” in August and shared mockup videos showing how it works. In one, co-founder Ben Nowack uses an app to aim a beam of light at a specific location, transforming the nighttime scene into a bright spot, akin to a theatrical spotlight.
Interestingly, Reflect Orbital plans to launch about 4,000 of these mirrors. They’ve applied for a license with the FCC to send a demo craft into space by April 2026. Recently, the company received a $1.25 million contract from the U.S. Air Force and conducted a successful $20 million funding round for their “on-demand sunlight” service.
While the pricing details are unclear, Reflect is eyeing various wealthy clients, promoting their service as a tool for national defense and industrial agriculture, among others. They’ve received over 260,000 applications from 157 countries for satellite-reflected sunlight.
However, there’s pushback from astronomers. John Berentine, an astronomer at Silverado Hills Observatory, expressed concerns about the intense beams of light, which could be four times brighter than a full moon. He warns that this could impact wildlife and even affect areas beyond the immediate beam.
Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society of the UK echoes these worries, saying the project could have severe consequences for astronomy. He emphasized that the entire astronomy community is concerned about the implications of these reflective satellites. A spokesperson from Reflect assured the public that the reflections would be localized and only last for a brief time.
They claimed that during the 2026 demonstration, the reflection would appear as a moving star and would create a soft glow on the ground. Yet, this raises questions about who has the right to deploy such technology over other countries. As this project develops, many will be watching closely to see its impact on the night sky and our planet.
In light of these discussions, the advent of commercial space ventures prompts broader questions about space governance. How do we balance innovation with potential ecological and astronomical consequences? These discussions are vital as we navigate this new frontier.
For more insights into the implications of satellite technology, you may want to check out articles from Space.com and other reputable science publications.
