Sun on demand: a startup wants to light up the night using satellites
US startup Reflect Orbital wants to light up the night sky using mirror-bearing satellites, and has received its first licences for tests. But it’s facing opposition from astronomy societies and environmental organisations.
California-based startup Reflect Orbital wants to turn night into day. And I mean that literally – the company plans to use satellites to reflect sunlight and direct it towards Earth like a spotlight. The aim is to illuminate areas with a diameter of «five kilometres or more» to near-daylight levels for several hours by 2035.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has now granted the startup approval to operate its first satellite prototype, called Earendil-1. This agency is responsible for regulating telecommunications, broadcasting and satellite communications in the USA, among other industries. Reflect Orbital’s authorised to use designated radio frequencies for control and data transmission.
There are regulations in place to prevent radio interference and reduce space debris. The approval expressly does not extend to the use of the satellite as a solar mirror. Assessing potential additional light pollution isn’t within the authority’s jurisdiction. In this regard, the FCC cites numerous complaints and petitions it has received opposing the project, including those from several international astronomy societies as well as environmental and health organisations.
The plan’s for up to 50,000 satellites by 2035
Earendil-1 is named after the brightly shining morning and evening star in Tolkien’s fantasy universe. It’s designed to be one of two test satellites that are scheduled to be launched into orbit at an altitude of approximately 625 kilometres in 2026. If the tests go according to plan, the 18-metre reflectors could, according to information on the website, reflect 0.1 Lux of light onto a defined area on Earth for five minutes. That’s roughly equivalent to the brightness of a clear night with a full moon.
Source: Reflect Orbital
Reflect Orbital plans to launch many more satellites over the next few years, with the aim of increasing both the brightness and the duration of the illumination. By 2035, 50,000 satellites are expected to provide up to 36,000 Lux for several hours. This is similar to shaded areas on a bright day. Alternatively, the satellite swarm’s likely to be able to provide up to 100 Lux continuously, which is along the lines of bright corridor lighting.
According to Reflect Orbital’s website, the reflected sunlight’s supposed to function like a spotlight – away from the beam, the night will remain dark. Within the cone of light, the reflective satellites are designed to appear like a bright star. The light intensity can be controlled by activating additional satellites, while the spotlight can be moved at short notice if necessary. By rotating the satellites, the company can completely «switch off» the light.
The purpose ranges from «useful» to «just for fun»
And who benefits from this extra sunlight? Reflect Orbital lists several possibilities – well-lit disaster areas in regions without electricity or lighting infrastructure, outdoor work sites such as industrial ports and military operations areas could all benefit from this lighting. Farms could extend their growing seasons. Cities could light up their streets (and everything else) evenly. Reflect Orbital also leads the way when it comes to creating memories, promising «unforgettable nighttime experiences for events and public spaces.»
… But only when the sky is clear.
Source: Reflect Orbital
Reflect Orbital presents the project on its website, promising a lot but with little to back it up:
«A search-and-rescue team locates a missing person in minutes. A city has safer, evenly-lit streets without the carbon emissions. Construction projects complete in half the time with teams able to work through the night safely.»
But this simplified interpretation doesn’t take into account carbon emissions from rocket launches, and the website doesn’t substantiate the claims regarding missing persons being found more quickly or construction work taking less time.
Another commercial application is solar energy generation. Reflect Orbital is reimagining the old idea of solar panels in space for uninterrupted energy generation. Instead of solving the problem of how to get the energy generated in space back to Earth, the startup aims to direct sunlight to collectors on the Earth’s surface. Their technology could «more than triple» global solar output.
But this lighting service comes at a price. Several sources, such as the nonprofit organisation Space Frontier Foundation, report that Reflect Orbital intend to set the starting rate at 5,000 dollars per hour. According to this report, Reflect Orbital plans to begin monetisation shortly after the first satellites become operational, so that it can use this revenue to finance the launch of additional satellites. But as the number of satellites increases, the price is expected to decrease. If solar farms benefit from additional sunlight, the idea is for some of the resulting profits to be shared with Reflect Orbital.
On the startup’s website, under «Explore,» you can simulate the beam of sunlight and move it over different cities like a spotlight.
Source: Reflect Orbital
The project has drawn a lot of criticism
It’s not just astronomy enthusiasts and researchers who are worried about brighter nights. It has been proven that light pollution is a growing problem (linked page in German). For humans, animals and plants, too much light can disrupt circadian rhythms and harm health, and large parts of the industrialised world are already suffering the effects of nights that are too bright.
According to the international DarkSky organisation, which campaigns against light pollution, outdoor lighting should be used in accordance with the five principles of responsible lighting – only for a specific purpose and only where it’s needed; no brighter than necessary; only for as long as necessary; and with the warmest possible colour temperatures. Reflect Orbital’s concept violates these guidelines, and DarkSky is currently speaking out against it.
Reflect Orbital is offering to collaborate with DarkSky, and responds to criticism by promising that observatories and protected habitats that depend on dark nights will be «deliberately» avoided.
The startup also claims in its FAQs that the light can’t cause fires like a magnifying glass in sunlight, nor can it cause eye damage when people look directly into the light source – not through a telescope either. The company claims that it will only provide light when it’s specifically requested and with the approval of local authorities, while the location of the illuminated area must be communicated in advance.
However, there are also concerns about sudden flashes of light and glare caused by the rotation of the satellites or a loss of control, as well as the increasing density of satellites in Earth’s orbit. The number of satellites in orbit is already considered risky, yet companies like SpaceX and Amazon plan to launch thousands more satellites for their communication networks over the coming years.
Feels just as comfortable in front of a gaming PC as she does in a hammock in the garden. Likes the Roman Empire, container ships and science fiction books. Focuses mostly on unearthing news stories about IT and smart products.
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