Sunlight at night: US startup’s demonstration of lighting Earth from space draws critcism
Startup Reflect Orbital is facing backlash after demonstrating a technology that uses space-based mirrors to reflect sunlight onto Earth at night. Environmentalists and astronomers are concerned about the impact of this artificial light on the night sky and local ecosystems.
Why it matters
This raises significant ethical and regulatory questions regarding the commercialization of space and the potential for light pollution on a global scale.
‘A coalition of environmentalists and astronomers are far less excited about Reflect Orbital’s ambitions.’ Photograph: Reflect Orbital ‘A coalition of environmentalists and astronomers are far less excited about Reflect Orbital’s ambitions.’ Photograph: Reflect Orbital California Sunlight at night: US startup’s demonstration of lighting Earth from space draws critcism Company imitates reflection of sun from mirrors, prompting pushback from some scientists, environmentalists and California locals
Oliver Milman Mon 26 Oct 2026 12.00 GMT Last modified on Mon 26 Oct 2026 12.02 GMT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Locals in a rural area of California were recently startled to see dazzlingly bright light shining down from nearby mountains at night, illuminating a swathe of the desert below.
Unbeknown to them, the strange nocturnal illumination was the latest step in a company’s plan to erect thousands of giant mirrors in space to reflect sunlight on to the Earth during night-time.
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