The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently assessing an application from a startup, Reflect Orbital, which proposes to launch a large mirror satellite designed to reflect sunlight onto dark areas of the Earth. This ambitious project aims to provide lighting for cities, enhance solar power generation, and offer illumination during emergencies. The company envisions deploying a constellation of up to 50,000 satellites, vastly exceeding the current largest satellite constellation operated by SpaceX.
Reflect Orbital’s CEO, Ben Nowack, shared his vision with The New York Times, stating, “We’re trying to build something that could replace fossil fuels and really power everything.” He estimates a potential revenue model where he could charge around $5,000 per hour for the light from a single satellite, with plans to share profits from electricity generated by solar farms. By the end of 2028, the company aims to have launched 1,000 satellites.
The concept, while innovative, raises significant concerns. Similar attempts to illuminate the night sky have been made in the past. In 1993, the Russian satellite Znamya deployed a reflective mylar sheet that created a spotlight effect on Earth. The experiment, however, proved impractical as it only produced brief flashes of light, ultimately failing to gain traction due to high costs.
Experts warn that the deployment of such a satellite constellation could have extensive environmental impacts. Martha Hotz Vitaterna, a research professor of neurobiology at Northwestern University, expressed concerns about the potential disruption to natural circadian rhythms. “The implications for wildlife, for all life, are enormous,” she noted, emphasizing the risk of altering breeding patterns in animals and confusing migratory birds.
Astronomers also fear that the proposed satellites could hinder astronomical observations, an issue already complicated by the increasing number of satellites in orbit. Roohi Dalal, an astronomer and director of public policy at the American Astronomical Society, highlighted the FCC’s limited regulatory framework for such unprecedented space activities. “We just don’t have a regulatory process for these types of novel space activities yet,” she cautioned.
In terms of feasibility, some experts remain skeptical. Michael Brown, an astronomer at Monash University, analyzed the proposal and concluded that even with tens of thousands of satellites, the system would be inefficient. He stated that over 3,000 satellites would be necessary to replicate just 20 percent of the midday sunlight at a single location. To achieve a similar effect at multiple sites, approximately 87,000 satellites would be needed.
“I think his idea keeps coming up because it has a certain simplicity and elegance,” Brown noted. “But when you start crunching the numbers, and the numbers are pretty easy to crunch, then you find there’s a lot of serious issues with it.”
As the FCC deliberates on this application, it faces a balancing act between fostering innovation and addressing the potential environmental and societal impacts of such a large-scale satellite deployment. The outcome could significantly influence the future of space-based technologies and their role in addressing global energy needs.
