NIGHT LIGHT

Astronomers Fume at Plan to Reflect Sunlight From Space at Night

A startup wants to send 4,000 satellites into orbit to power solar farms at night.

A bold plan to power solar farms at night using sunlight reflected from space is placing a California startup on a collision course with the global astronomical community. Reflect Orbital has requested an FCC license to launch up to 4,000 satellites into orbit by 2030, significantly increasing the amount of clean, renewable energy that solar farms can produce. The project has already attracted serious financial backing, including Sequoia Capital and tech billionaire Baiju Bhatt. However, the project has drawn the ire of astronomers, who warn that the “blindingly bright” light emitted by the fleet of satellites could significantly impact their work, leaving them unable to properly study the night sky. “Astronomers are certainly concerned about this,” said University of Washington researcher Meredith Rawls, who added that the vast amounts of satellites currently in orbit have already negatively impacted astronomical images. Scientists have also warned that additional light pollution caused by the satellites could disrupt the behavior of nocturnal species such as moths and bats, arguing that the environmental impact of the satellites could soon offset the climate benefits. It is not yet known whether the FCC will grant Reflect Orbital a license.