DarkSky International opposes Reflect Orbital’s proposed orbital illumination system

DarkSky International recently released an organizational statement in response to Reflect Orbital’s proposal to use in-space mirrors to reflect sunlight to Earth at night. Grounded in current scientific understanding and guided by the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting, the statement clearly articulates DarkSky’s opposition to orbital illumination systems as they are currently conceived.

The statement aims to inform policymakers, the scientific community, and the public about the significant risks posed by the proposed technology, and to advocate for transparency, environmental review, and public accountability before any such systems are approved or deployed.

DarkSky has also issued an open letter to Reflect Orbital and its investors. In addition, DarkSky is providing opportunities for public engagement and action on an issue that carries unprecedented impacts to the nighttime environment. To learn more, visit our positions and statements webpage.

DarkSky’s organizational statement on Reflect Orbital and threats posed by orbital illumination systems

Reflect Orbital, a planned orbital illumination system, proposes to use in-space mirrors mounted on satellites to reflect sunlight down to Earth at night. The company has described the capability to provide “sunlight on demand” through satellite constellations designed to illuminate areas up to 5 kilometers wide at intensities between 0.8 and 2.3 lux—several times brighter than a full moon. To achieve these levels, multiple satellites would be required for each target area, with illumination lasting only a few minutes as satellites pass overhead. Reflect Orbital has outlined plans for thousands of satellites and is seeking FCC approval to launch its first prototypes in 2026.

Orbital illumination systems represent an unprecedented environmental intervention. Based on current scientific evidence, DarkSky does not see a viable pathway for such systems to align with responsible lighting principles or with our mission to protect natural darkness. These systems would introduce significant ecological, human health, safety, and astronomical risks at a global scale.

1. Environmental degradation: Artificial light from orbital illumination would introduce a powerful new stressor to nocturnal ecosystems. Research shows that even low levels of artificial light at night disrupt essential behaviors such as navigation, migration, feeding, and reproduction across hundreds of species. These disruptions can destabilize food webs and accelerate biodiversity loss.
2. Impacts on human wellbeing: Exposure to artificial light at night disrupts circadian rhythms that regulate sleep, metabolic processes, and hormonal cycles. Research links circadian disruption to a growing number of health concerns. Reflected orbital illumination viewed through optical devices may also pose a risk of eye damage, similar to observing a partial solar eclipse.
3. Threats to public safety: Moving beams of light from space-based mirrors could create sudden flashes, glare, or sweeping illumination patterns if systems malfunction or mirrors fail to stow. These effects pose risks to night vision, aircraft operations, drivers, and observers using binoculars or telescopes.
4. Impacts on astronomical research: Scattered light from orbital illuminators would significantly increase skyglow and degrade ground-based astronomical observations. A constellation of such satellites would create persistent interference, and a direct beam near observatories could damage sensitive instruments.
5. Orbital debris hazards: Large mirrors in low Earth orbit would face high rates of micro-impacts and increase collision and debris-generation risks, adding to an already crowded orbital environment.

DarkSky’s work is guided by the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting, which call for lighting that is necessary, targeted, low-level, and well-controlled. Orbital illumination systems fundamentally conflict with these principles.

Given the documented risks, DarkSky opposes Reflect Orbital’s proposed project as currently conceived. Consistent with our position on satellite mega-constellations, we urge the FCC to close longstanding regulatory gaps that allow satellite deployments to proceed without environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

We also call on Reflect Orbital to demonstrate leadership by voluntarily commissioning a comprehensive, independent environmental impact assessment conducted by qualified experts—regardless of whether such review is required by the FCC. Technologies with global environmental implications demand transparency and rigorous evaluation before deployment.

We remain committed to scientific dialogue and transparency. The burden of proof rests with the operator to demonstrate that their system will not cause environmental or public harm, and a full, independent assessment is the necessary first step.