Imagine a future where sunlight could be directed to your backyard from space! Reflect Orbital, a California-based start-up, is gearing up to launch a massive mirror into orbit next year. This isn’t just a sci-fi fantasy; it’s the first step towards their audacious plan to create a constellation of over 4,000 solar reflectors designed to boost solar power production during twilight hours on Earth. Set to launch its first satellite, Earendil-1, in April 2026, this project is already lighting up discussions, raising alarms among astronomers and biodiversity experts over potential light pollution.

So, what’s the deal with these space mirrors? Reflect Orbital’s debut satellite will deploy a mirror measuring an impressive 60x60 feet (18x18 meters). Thanks to a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the US Air Force, this demonstration mission is fully funded and ready to shine. But here’s where it gets intriguing: once operational, this satellite will beam sunlight onto specific targets on Earth, effectively providing "light on demand" for customers after sunset and before sunrise.

However, not everyone is on board. John Berentine, an astronomer at the Silverado Hills Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, has raised grave concerns, warning that the reflected beams could be four times brighter than a full Moon. This intensity could disrupt wildlife habits both directly and through atmospheric scattering, leading to a potential ecological disaster.

The astronomical community isn’t staying silent either. Experts have called for an environmental review of these space mirrors, voicing serious concerns about their impact on life on Earth. Robert Massey, the Deputy Executive Director at the UK's Royal Astronomical Society, described the project as "pretty catastrophic" from an astronomical perspective, fearing the precedent it sets for future endeavors.

In response to these worries, Reflect Orbital insists that they are committed to minimizing any negative effects. They argue that their service is "highly localized," meaning the reflection from the mirrors would only cover a specific area for a limited time. Once the satellite passes its target, the mirror will tilt away from Earth’s surface, reducing the potential for prolonged light pollution. During the demonstration mission, observers at designated test sites will see the reflection as a bright moving star—a sight that could be both awe-inspiring and concerning.