It sounds like science fiction – a giant mirror launched into space to illuminate the night sky. But this could be a reality later this year, and it’s raising concerns. U.S.-based space start-up Reflect Orbital aims to build a constellation of satellites to deliver sunlight on demand, according to its website The company said its satellites will be able to transform into mirrors reflecting a five-kilometre-wide beam of sunlight. Reflect Orbital said the satellites could be used to light up disaster response areas, extend work hours in light remote areas, boost the agricultural sector, and energize solar farms after dark. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially given the green light to test this technology. Reflect Orbital plans to launch its first demonstration satellite by the end of the year, but hopes to have over 50,000 in orbit by 2035. Concerns extend beyond world of astronomy “This is like a comic book villain plot or something like that,” said Scott Young, an astronomer at the Manitoba Museum Planetarium. Young is not shy about his concerns with the project. “This will completely kill astronomy,” he told CTV News. “Not just amateurs who just love looking at the sky, but also research astronomy because one of these satellites going over a big telescope will pretty much fry the camera.” Those concerns extend beyond the world of astronomy. Danielee Pahud, director of the University of Manitoba’s Lockhart Planetarium, said she worries these solar spotlights could impact human sleep and health, create more light pollution and throw off nocturnal wildlife that relies on the night sky. “Nighttime as we know it will be gone, and it will have a devastating impact on our ecosystem, and it’s all interconnected,” she said, adding she feels the risk outweighs the potential benefit. Most people will never see this light: Reflect Orbital A spokesperson for Reflect Orbital was not available for an interview, but provided a statement to CTV News. “We recognize new technologies raise important questions. We’ve engaged in substantive discussions with scientists, astronomers, environmental researchers and other stakeholders - and their feedback has meaningfully informed the design of our spacecraft and operational plans,” the statement reads. “We’re committed to ongoing dialogue.” Reflect Orbital said it is commissioning third-party research – including environmental impact assessments – on the impacts of its technology with independent researchers and federal partners in the U.S. It notes its test later this year will include built-in safeguards governing how, where and when its service is delivered. In terms of the night sky, it said the satellites will maintain exclusion zones to cover astronomical observation sites and sensitive habitats, and when idle, will be turned off. “To be clear: most people and most places will never see this light. Our service will be targeted and customers will require permits to receive it,” the statement reads. ‘It’s like the Wild West’: astronomer calls for oversight in outer space Young said he would like to see more governance in the final frontier. “It’s like the Wild West,” Young said. “Something has to change to rein in some of these companies before they do irreparable damage to the night sky, to low Earth orbit, to our ability to use space technology.” Young said right now individual countries decide what is launched on its land, but once up in space there is little oversight. He said big players in the space industry – like NASA, the European Space Agency, the China National Space Administration – need to work together. “Until that starts to get firmed up through some international cooperation and enforcement, we’re going to see a lot more of this kind of stuff. And it may be too late to roll it back five years from now.”
