Astronomers Warn Proposed Space Mirror Constellation Would Outshine the Full Moon
A new study is raising alarms about the potential night-sky impact of a proposed space mirror constellation. According to research, mirrors being planned by U.S. startup Reflect Orbital could appear up to 40 times brighter than the full moon, a level that astronomers say would be more disruptive than light pollution from major cities like London.
The mirrors are designed to reflect sunlight onto Earth, potentially for energy or lighting purposes. However, scientists warn the brightness could interfere with ground-based telescope observations and affect natural ecosystems that rely on dark skies. The researchers behind the study say the environmental and scientific consequences deserve serious consideration before such projects move forward.
The findings add to an ongoing debate about how to regulate mega-constellations and novel space objects that alter Earth's appearance in the night sky. International astronomical organizations have previously called for guardrails on satellite brightness, particularly following concerns raised by large Starlink batches. Whether reflective space infrastructure falls under existing space governance frameworks remains an open question.