06/16/2026
Working on boats in the field is about to get a whole lot better 😎
A new space startup plans to sell on-demand sunlight at any hour, beamed directly from Earth's orbit.
California-based aerospace startup Reflect Orbital is looking to revolutionize how we experience the night by launching a constellation of satellites equipped with ultra-thin reflective mirrors.
Founded by former SpaceX engineer Ben Nowack, the company aims to make sunlight "programmable," allowing users to request a localized beam of light simply by entering GPS coordinates on a website.
The system is designed to redirect sunlight down to target areas roughly five kilometers wide, offering brightness ranging from a gentle full moon to peak daylight. Initial applications focus on expanding solar power generation into the evening hours, assisting disaster response teams, and lighting remote industrial worksites.
While the startup has generated massive commercial interest—receiving more than 260,000 inquiries and securing millions in venture capital—the concept of "sunlight-as-a-service" has sparked intense debate.
Environmental scientists and astronomers warn that artificial orbital illumination could severely disrupt nocturnal ecosystems, disorient migrating birds, and damage human circadian rhythms.
Critics argue that altering natural cycles of darkness constitutes a new, unregulated form of light pollution. Despite these concerns, Reflect Orbital is moving forward with plans to deploy its first test satellites, bringing humanity one step closer to a future where darkness is optional.
source: McKie, R. (2026). Satellite mirror plans could disrupt sleep and ecosystems worldwide, scientists say. The Guardian.
