A California-based technology startup, Reflect Orbital, conducted a test of its ambitious plan to beam sunlight onto Earth after dark, using powerful spotlights in the mountains rather than space-based mirrors. The demonstration, which occurred on October 10 near Lone Pine, California, projected intense beams onto a three-mile stretch of desert, creating a bright glare for local residents and providing a unique training environment.
Volunteers from the China Lake Mountain Rescue Group participated in nighttime search-and-rescue drills and stretcher carry exercises under the artificial illumination, which mimicked full-moon brightness. The company intends to deploy 50,000 satellites over the next decade to reflect sunlight onto specific locations at night.
Despite the potential for novel applications, the technology has drawn significant criticism from scientists and environmental advocates. Researchers express concern that atmospheric scattering could result in a pervasive 'sky glow,' extending for miles beyond the targeted areas. This glow could surpass the brightness of a full moon and potentially disrupt the behavior of nocturnal wildlife.
Astrophysicists have voiced alarm about the impact on ground-based astronomy. "It's the end of ground-based astronomy," Gaspar Bakos, a Princeton astrophysicist, told Sky and Telescope. Critics also raise concerns about the potential for mass surveillance and military applications, questioning who would control the night sky.
Climate scientists have also condemned the proposal. Jan Hasselman, an attorney with Earthjustice, described the project as "idiotic," warning of "a huge number of unresolved questions and significant potential impacts" in comments to The Guardian.
Reflect Orbital has secured two rocket launches from Skyroot Aerospace in India for its initial experimental mirror satellites, with the first mission, 'Earendil,' scheduled for the second quarter of 2027. Regulatory hurdles remain, as the Federal Communications Commission has granted an initial demonstration license but stated that light pollution and environmental impacts fall outside its jurisdiction, creating a regulatory gray area with oversight potentially shifting to Indian space regulators.