A Space Mirror Will Test Turning Night Into Day. What To Know About the Controversial Project

The notion of turning night into day has long been a staple of science fiction, but it’s now on the cusp of becoming a reality thanks to a recent FCC approval for a constellation of sun-reflecting satellites. The plan is to use a massive mirror in space to catch and beam sunlight back to Earth, artificially illuminating areas that would otherwise be shrouded in darkness.

Reflect Orbital, the company behind this proposal, envisions a future where their satellites can assist search and rescue operations, enable construction projects to operate around the clock, and even charge solar power stations. However, critics argue that this is not just about turning night into day – it’s about fundamentally altering our relationship with the natural world.

The risks are well-documented. Human and animal circadian rhythms could be severely disrupted if the sun never sets, much like they are when we change clocks by an hour twice a year. Plants could bloom at the wrong time or die before their season, while the flashing lights from the satellites could pose a distraction to airline pilots.

Critics have also pointed out that this project would exacerbate an already pressing issue: light pollution. The sheer scale of Reflect Orbital’s plans – 50,000 satellites by 2035 – would dwarf even SpaceX’s massive Starlink constellation, further compromising our ability to view the night sky.

The company’s response has been to insist that their satellites will be precisely controlled and limited to specific areas. However, Lindsay DeMarchi, a policy analyst with The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy, notes that “the atmosphere is dynamic and turbulent, catching, throwing, and bouncing photons like mobile trampolines; that’s what gives us effects like stars twinkling at night.” This means that even if the satellites are designed to shine only in specific areas, there will inevitably be spillover – and with it, a host of unintended consequences.

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has been sounding the alarm on this issue for months. In June, they sent a letter to the FCC opposing the approval, citing concerns about light pollution, eye damage, pilot distraction, and waste of federal research dollars. Reflect Orbital’s proposal is fundamentally different from other satellites that reflect some light, but are not intentionally designed to be as bright as possible.

As we move forward with this technology, it’s essential that we take a step back and consider the implications. We’re not just talking about turning night into day – we’re talking about fundamentally altering the way we interact with the natural world.

The company claims that their satellites will be precisely controlled and limited to specific areas, but this is questionable at best. The atmosphere is inherently unpredictable, and it’s unlikely that even the most advanced technology can fully mitigate its effects. Moreover, as the number of satellites increases, so too does the risk of unintended consequences – and with 50,000 birds in orbit by 2035, the potential for disaster is staggering.

The issue of light pollution is not new, but this project would exacerbate it. With a constellation of satellites shining bright lights into the atmosphere, we can expect to see an increase in light pollution – and all its attendant problems. Astronomers are already struggling to view the night sky due to the proliferation of satellite constellations; this project would only make things worse.

As we move forward with these plans, it’s essential that we consider the potential risks and consequences. We’re not just talking about turning night into day – we’re talking about fundamentally altering our relationship with the natural world. With 50,000 satellites in orbit by 2035, the potential for disaster is real.