A California-based startup, Reflect Orbital, is preparing to launch over 4,000 massive mirrors into space with the innovative aim of reflecting sunlight back to Earth during the night. This ambitious project seeks to create “light on demand,” allowing for extended daylight hours into early morning and evening.
The proposed system will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit, strategically positioned to hover at the boundary between day and night. As an area on Earth descends into darkness, the mirrors will pivot to direct sunlight onto designated 5-kilometer-wide regions below. The team believes this could enhance clean energy generation during peak demand, support agricultural activities, assist in nighttime operations, and provide essential lighting during emergencies.
A preliminary mission, named EARENDIL-1, is slated for launch in the coming year. The project has garnered financial backing from the US Air Force and has attracted substantial commercial interest.
However, the initiative has raised significant concerns within the scientific community. Astronomers fear that the deployment of these mirrors could lead to an alarming increase in light pollution, complicating cosmic observations. Some experts suggest these mirrors could reflect light at levels four times that of a full moon, potentially producing artificial celestial objects that could interfere with telescopes and scientific imaging.
Environmental researchers have voiced similar worries, highlighting that many species rely on natural darkness for survival. Disruptions in nocturnal environments, crucial for the navigation, feeding, and reproduction of various wildlife, could occur due to this artificial lighting. Critics argue that this venture may obliterate the natural distinction between day and night, a balance that life on Earth has adapted to over millions of years.
Even if light is concentrated in specific areas, scientists caution that the glow could extend into surrounding regions, adversely impacting ecosystems. The increase in light pollution is already correlated with declining insect populations and sleep disorders in humans. Critics assert that introducing thousands of orbiting light sources could exacerbate these trends, urging regulatory bodies to perform thorough environmental assessments prior to the project”s full-scale implementation.
In response to these concerns, Reflect Orbital asserts that the light emitted will be “soft, moonlike,” and that the mirrors will pivot away when not in use. The company has stated its intention to collaborate with astronomers and ecologists throughout the testing phase, with a commitment to revisit and modify the design as needed. Nevertheless, skepticism remains prevalent among researchers, particularly given that this project centers on illumination, marking a significant shift in the use of space technology.
