Reflect Orbital Plans Orbiting Mirrors to Beam Nighttime Sunlight

The concept revives century-old dreams of orbital illumination, most notably Russia’s 1990s Znamya experiments. By angling these mirrors, the company intends to project 5-kilometer-wide beams of light to assist in search and rescue missions, accelerate construction schedules, or boost renewable energy production. While the prospect of clean, accessible light promises efficiency for municipalities and industrial sites, the plan faces significant pushback from the scientific community. Astronomers warn that a massive constellation of reflective satellites threatens to disrupt deep-space observations, raising questions about the environmental and safety consequences of turning the night sky into a controlled utility.