Startup Plans 50,000 Space Mirrors to Sell Sunlight at Night

WHO:

Fast Company - Reflect Orbital is a satellite startup whose CEO is Ben Nowack.

Fast Company - Astrophysicist Gaspar Bakos of Princeton University criticized the plan, saying, “This is not a ‘concern’—this is like a bullet in your head,” and “It’s the end of ground-based astronomy.”

Fast Company - Astronomers, environmental groups, and amateur astronomers have raised concerns about the proposed satellites and their effects.

Yahoo - University of Alabama astronomer Michelle Wooten asked, “Who owns the night sky?” and said people should have a say in what it looks like.

Yahoo - Macquarie University astrophysicist Richard de Grijs wrote that Earth’s atmosphere would not keep reflected sunlight confined to sharply defined areas.

WHAT:

Fast Company - Reflect Orbital plans a constellation of 50,000 mirror-equipped satellites to direct sunlight toward Earth on demand, in beams five kilometers wide and ranging from “noon light to moon light.”

Fast Company - The company lists potential uses including powering solar panels, illuminating disaster zones, supporting search-and-rescue missions, and lighting worksites, cities, and events. It proposes a price of $5,000 per hour.

Yahoo - A study in *The Astrophysical Journal Letters* described atmospheric scattering of reflected sunlight. A 54-meter mirror is the operational goal; the article says light within the beam would be 40 times brighter than the moon, and a satellite could appear brighter than the moon from eight miles away. The European Southern Observatory estimates a 50,000-satellite constellation could make the night sky three to four times brighter overall.

Fast Company - Reflect Orbital CEO Ben Nowack said the company would avoid serving customers near astronomers or places with strict brightness requirements. He compared concerns about artificial light to past fears about light bulbs.

WHERE:

Yahoo - Reflect Orbital tested its technology near Independence, California, using angled floodlights to imitate a space-based beam.

Yahoo - The planned launch partnership is with India’s Skyroot Aerospace; the company would need authorization from India’s National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre.

Fast Company - Reflect Orbital purchased two space launches in India. The article says the Outer Space Treaty makes the launching country liable for unintended consequences of satellites launched from its territory.

WHEN:

Yahoo - SpaceX launched the first group of Starlink satellites in 2019; the article reports more than 11,000 Starlink satellites.

Yahoo - Reflect Orbital conducted its floodlight test on October 10.

Fast Company - The FCC approved a single demonstration satellite for Reflect Orbital in August; Yahoo identifies the approved demonstration satellite as Earendil-1 and says approval occurred in mid-July.

WHY:

Fast Company - Astronomers warn that scattered light could hinder ground-based telescope observations; artificial nighttime light could disrupt plants’, animals’, and humans’ day-night rhythms.

Yahoo - Astronomers are concerned that satellite brightness could affect ground-based observations, including those of the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile.

HOW:

Yahoo - Because Reflect Orbital has no satellites in orbit, it used large, angled floodlights for its California demonstration.

Fast Company - The FCC approved one demonstration satellite, but the company’s planned Indian launches could allow it to proceed without seeking U.S. government approval, according to the article.

(UPDATED November 3, 2026 20:02 UTC)

Reflect Orbital wants 50,000 mirror-equipped satellites to beam sunlight onto Earth on demand. Astronomers warn scattered light could disrupt telescope observations and brighten the night sky. The company touts disaster response and solar power, but environmental concerns remain.