Scientists Express Concern Over Reflect Orbital's Plan to Launch Space Mirrors

Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup, has proposed launching thousands of satellites equipped with large mirrors into low Earth orbit to reflect sunlight onto Earth's surface during nighttime hours. The company aims to provide 'sunlight on demand' to extend solar power generation, illuminate disaster zones, and offer additional lighting for various applications.

However, this initiative has drawn criticism from the scientific community. The presidents of the European Biological Rhythms Society, the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, the Japanese Society for Chronobiology, and the Canadian Society for Chronobiology have expressed concerns that such large-scale orbital deployments could significantly alter the natural nighttime light environment on a global scale.

Astronomers have also voiced apprehension about the potential impact on night sky observations. Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, stated that the project could be 'pretty catastrophic' from an astronomical perspective.

Reflect Orbital plans to launch a demonstration satellite named Eärendil-1 in 2026, featuring an 18-by-18-meter mirror designed to reflect sunlight to specific areas on Earth. The company asserts that the service will be highly localized, with each reflection covering a defined area for a finite period, and that the mirrors can be adjusted to minimize unintended illumination.

Despite these assurances, scientists remain concerned about the broader implications of introducing artificial light sources into the night sky, including potential disruptions to human circadian rhythms, wildlife behavior, and the integrity of astronomical research.