American Company Announces Bold Plan to Launch 4,000 Space Mirrors for Future Solar Energy Harvesting
The US-based startup Reflect Orbital has revealed a visionary project to deploy over 4,000 space mirrors into Earth’s orbit, aiming to significantly enhance solar energy collection and distribution on our planet.
According to filings submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the company plans to launch their first demonstration satellite, EARENDIL-1, as early as next year.
This satellite, measuring 18 by 18 meters, will demonstrate its capability to reflect sunlight onto terrestrial targets, potentially revolutionizing how we harness and utilize solar power.
The project promises to extend sunlight exposure during dawn, dusk, and nighttime, thereby boosting renewable energy production during peak consumption hours, and could provide emergency illumination in disaster zones or support nighttime work in urban areas.
Nonetheless, experts and astronomers have expressed concerns about the impact of such a large-scale reflective system on light pollution and wildlife.
The intense reflected light—up to four times brighter than the full Moon—might disrupt ecosystems and interfere with astronomical observations.
Reflect Orbital states it intends to conduct thorough environmental assessments and implement measures to minimize adverse effects.
With a full constellation of 4,000 satellites planned by 2030, operating on a sun-synchronous orbit along the day-night boundary, the project reflects a bold step into future space-based renewable energy solutions but also raises urgent questions about space debris management, satellite collision risks, and ecological consequences of increased night-time illumination.