Imagine being able to order sunlight after sunset.
That is the idea behind Reflect Orbital, a California startup developing satellites designed to reflect sunlight from space onto selected areas on Earth after dark.
How the Space Mirrors Would Work
The company has received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to launch its first demonstration satellite, Eärendil-1, bringing the unusual idea closer to reality.
Eärendil-1 will carry an 18-metre by 18-metre reflective surface into low Earth orbit. Once deployed, the mirror will redirect sunlight toward a targeted area on the ground.
The first mission aims to test whether the technology can deliver additional light after sunset. Reflect Orbital has described the concept as “sunlight on demand.”
Why Reflect Orbital Wants to Put Mirrors in Space
The company sees several possible uses for the technology.
One of its biggest targets is solar power. Solar farms stop producing electricity when the Sun goes down, even though electricity demand can remain high during the evening.
Reflect Orbital believes reflected sunlight could extend the useful hours of existing solar infrastructure.
The company has also pointed to potential uses in construction, agriculture, emergency response and other situations where additional light could help after dark.
But the idea is still far from becoming a service where anyone can simply open an app and order daylight.
Eärendil-1 is a demonstration mission, not a commercial sunlight-delivery service.
Astronomers Are Worried About the Night Sky
The technology has already sparked a fierce debate among astronomers and environmental groups.
Critics worry that reflecting sunlight onto Earth at night could add to light pollution and interfere with astronomical observations. They also have concerns about the effects of artificial nighttime illumination on wildlife and ecosystems.
Those concerns have intensified as Reflect Orbital looks beyond its first satellite. The company has discussed eventually deploying a much larger constellation of mirrors.
A recent scientific study found that reflected light from larger proposed mirrors could significantly brighten the nighttime sky over areas far beyond the intended illuminated zone.
Sunlight on Demand Is Still a Future Idea
For now, the idea of ordering sunlight remains experimental.
Reflect Orbital still has to prove that its technology can work reliably in orbit and address the concerns surrounding its impact on the night sky.
But if Eärendil-1 succeeds, the company could take a step toward turning something that sounds like science fiction into a real commercial service.
The next question is no longer whether a mirror in space can reflect sunlight toward Earth.
It is whether we actually want someone to turn the lights back on after sunset.