The California startup Reflect Orbital has introduced a revolutionary yet controversial proposal to sell sunlight on demand by deploying a constellation of 50,000 mirrors into space. Seeking to launch a 60-foot prototype this summer, the company aims to beam light back to Earth to illuminate areas up to three miles wide. According to CEO Ben Nowack, this technology could fundamentally replace fossil fuels by allowing solar power plants to operate around the clock, while also assisting in disaster relief and urban lighting. The startup has already raised $28 million and applied for FCC licensing, with a long-term goal of reaching full operational capacity by 2035.
Scientists reveal controversial plan to launch 50,000 MIRRORS into space for ‘sunlight on demand’ – but sceptics warn it poses ‘serious risks’ to wildlife and humans https://t.co/zrD3VFvpbo
— Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) March 10, 2026
However, the plan has encountered significant resistance from the scientific community over its potential ecological impact. Experts from the Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology warn that artificial sunlight could disrupt the natural rhythms of wildlife and humans alike, with consequences described as enormous for all life on Earth. While the concept of orbital mirrors dates back to the 1993 Russian Znamya experiment, the sheer scale of Reflect Orbital’s vision presents unprecedented challenges. The project now stands at the center of a growing conflict between the pursuit of innovative green energy and the preservation of Earth’s natural light cycles.
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