Reflect Orbital

Technology

The overall design is simple: each satellite is equipped with a thin, mylar-like mirror that reflects sunlight onto the ground below. Each reflector orbits along the terminator line at an altitude of around 680 km, generating a 5 km diameter spot of illumination on the surface. This provides the equivalent brightness of about four full moons for a duration of four to twelve minutes. Brightness can be increased by directing multiple reflectors at the same point, and duration can be extended by scheduling consecutive satellite passes. A ring of just 18 satellites can provide continuous lighting for up to an hour.

While the final reflector size will be optimized over time, the first iteration will measure 18 x 18 meters, with the full-scale version expected to be approximately 55 x 55 meters. When not in use, the mirrors can be oriented away from the Earth to prevent unintended light pollution.

Timeline

Reflect Orbital is developing both the bus and reflector in-house and is planning its first launch for the spring of 2026. This initial satellite will be featured in a global “world tour” demonstration, lighting up ten major locations to showcase the technology. Following that, two more launches are booked to deploy two additional satellites, which will support further marketing demonstrations.

Once they reach the scale of hundreds of satellites, Reflect will begin servicing consistent lighting applications, establishing a stable revenue stream. By 2030, they plan to have launched all 4,000 satellites. This will enable them to provide concentrated light sufficient to keep solar farms operating after sunset and to deliver energy in addition to illumination.

Applications

Reflected light from the constellation can be used across a wide range of environments ranging from urban areas and construction zones to remote military installations, all without the need for ground-based infrastructure. This is particularly valuable in regions with limited infrastructure or political instability, where ground-based lighting systems are too risky for traditional financing.

Once at scale, Reflect Orbital will be able to direct sufficient light to allow solar farms to continue operating after dark, bringing solar power closer to becoming a true net-zero solution. 

Costs and Funding

In late September 2024, Reflect Orbital announced a $6.5 million seed round led by Sequoia Capital, with participation from Starship Ventures, Baiju Bhatt, Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, and Keenan Wyrobek. This was followed in May 2025 by a highly successful $20 million Series A led by Lux Capital, with continued participation from Sequoia Capital and Starship Ventures. In June 2025, Reflect was awarded a $1.25 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from AFWERX.

Shortly after beginning operations, Reflect plans to charge approximately $5,000 per hour for reflected sunlight and is exploring a variable pricing model based on location. These agreements will be structured through what they call “sunshine purchase agreements” (SPAs). For solar farm applications, SPAs will be layered on top of existing power purchase agreements (PPAs). Revenue from the world tour and early operational satellites is expected to help fund future launch rounds. As the system scales, pricing is expected to decrease over time.

Policy

Permitting is a critical component of Reflect Orbital’s operations. Unlike radio frequency systems, there are currently no explicit regulations governing the reflection of sunlight to the Earth’s surface. Within the U.S., permitting will likely be handled by the Office of Space Commerce, while internationally, it will typically fall under national jurisdiction. 

Additionally, as light pollution is a potential concern, Reflect is proactively coordinating with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to ensure that its system does not negatively impact environmentally sensitive areas or interfere with astronomical research.