Space & Astronomy

Firm given go-ahead to launch 'sunlight on demand' orbital mirror

By T.K. Randall
July 14, 2026

Image Credit: NASA We've written before about Reflect Orbital - a company that plans to place satellites in orbit equipped with giant mirrors so that light from the sun can be directed onto parts of the Earth's surface at night.

This plan to create 'sunlight on demand' would see as many as 50,000 satellites in orbit by 2035, creating a veritable network of mirrors capable of lighting up vast swathes of the planet.

The idea has been met with significant opposition from scientists and astronomers who argue that the mirrors will create light pollution and mess up our view of the cosmos.

There is also concern over the impact on wildlife, as well as the possibility for drivers and pilots to be dazzled by sudden bright flashes when the satellites adjust their positions.Nonetheless, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has now given Reflect Orbital the green light to proceed with an experimental satellite in the near future.

The satellite will be able to illuminate an area of around 5 kilometers wide.

If the test proves successful, the idea certainly has merit - these orbital mirrors could power solar panels 24/7 as well as provide light after dark in any situation that demands it.

Whether it will prove to be worth the cost, however, remains to be seen.

Source: Independent

Tags: Satellite, Mirror