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#1 2025-11-17 13:47:39
- tahanson43206
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- Registered: 2018-04-27
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Business Opportunity - Mirror in orbit
This topic is brought to us by Void, who has written numerous posts about how mirrors might be used in orbit.
This topic is opening with a specific company, but other companies might be added if any come into being.
The startup Reflect Orbital has raised tens of millions of dollars to build a constellation of satellites with giant mirrors to beam sunlight to Earth on demand for solar energy and lighting. Led by investors like Lux Capital and Sequoia Capital, the company aims to provide "sunlight as a service," particularly for solar farms, to extend their power generation into the evening. The funding will support the development of its technology and its first satellite launch, which is planned for 2026.
What the company plans to do
Deploy a constellation of satellites: The long-term goal is to have a constellation of 4,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit, each with large mirrors.
Provide "sunlight on demand": The satellites would reflect sunlight to specific locations on Earth, providing on-demand illumination and power.
Support solar energy: The primary application is to extend the operating hours of solar farms by providing them with sunlight after sunset, which could be beneficial during peak evening energy demand.Offer other services: The technology could also be used for other applications like lighting for remote operations, defense, and civil infrastructure.
Funding and timeline
Series A funding: The company announced a
$20$ 20
$20 million Series A round led by Lux Capital.
Seed funding: This followed a previous
$6.5$ 6.5
$6.5 million seed round in September 2024.First launch: The company has applied for a license from the FCC to launch a demonstration satellite in 2026.
Potential challenges and concernsWeather: Thick clouds could block the reflected sunlight from reaching its destination.
Environmental impact: Scientists have raised concerns about the potential disruption of animal and plant behavior, as well as human sleep cycles, from this new source of light pollution.Technical feasibility: There are challenges in scaling up the technology from the company's tests to its orbital goals, particularly with the size of the mirrors needed to effectively deliver useful amounts of light.
Solar Power At Midnight? Sequoia, Baiju Bhatt Back Startup Plans ...
Oct 16, 2025 — Reflect Orbital has outlined plans to deploy orbital mirrors that would redirect sunlight from space to Earth, extendi...Yahoo Finance
Reflect Orbital raises $20 million for space-based ‘sunlight as a ...
May 17, 2025 — Reflect Orbital raises $20 million for space-based 'sunlight as a service' ... Photo by Reflect Orbital. Reflect Orbit...ImpactAlpha
Announcing Our $20m Series A - Reflect Orbital
May 13, 2025 — Reflect Orbital has raised a $20 million Series A to accelerate development of its satellite constellation to deliver ...Reflect Orbital
US Startup Plans to Launch Giant Mirrors Into Space to Sell Sunlight
Oct 28, 2025 — Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup, has raised $20 million to launch thousands of giant mirrors into space th...USTechTimes
Controversial startup's plan to 'sell sunlight' using giant mirrors ...
Oct 30, 2025 — Past research on light pollution has also shown that it can alter the behavior of a wide array of animals and plant sp...Live Science
California Startup Wants To Sell Sunlight After Dark Using A Giant ...
Aug 26, 2024 — Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup, wants to send 57 small satellites into low-Earth orbit with 33-square-foo...HotHardware
A US startup plans to deliver ‘sunlight on demand’ after dark
Oct 9, 2025 — The balloon test. Last year, Reflect Orbital's founder Ben Nowack posted a short video which summarised a test with the...Energy Source & Distribution
Solar Power At Midnight? Sequoia, Baiju Bhatt Back Startup Plans ...
Oct 16, 2025 — Reflect Orbital has outlined plans to deploy orbital mirrors that would redirect sunlight from space to Earth, extendi...
It seems to me that a far better business opportunity exists for those who can provide reflected sunlight for objects ** other ** than the Earth. Since all objects in space (including the Earth) are in motion, a mirror that would reflect sunlight in a useful way would ** also ** be in orbit. The difference is that the orbiting object can receive sunlight in a particular spot on the surface at a constant strength, regardless of the motion of the object, if the mirror's orbit is chosen to permit it.
In any case, thanks go to Void for bringing this interesting venture to our attention.
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#2 2025-11-17 13:56:49
- tahanson43206
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Re: Business Opportunity - Mirror in orbit
This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members.
Index:
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#3 2025-11-17 15:41:14
- SpaceNut
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Re: Business Opportunity - Mirror in orbit
I believe musk was wanting to use them in orbit to control global warming a few months ago.
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#4 2025-11-17 21:46:32
- Void
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Re: Business Opportunity - Mirror in orbit
Yes, I recall he feels that some of his devices such as future data centers with their solar panels will have an additional property of "Shading" the Earth.
Some mirrors could also do that.
Ending Pending 
Last edited by Void (2025-11-17 21:47:02)
Is it possible that the root of political science claims is to produce white collar jobs for people who paid for an education and do not want a real job?
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