Scientific Warnings on the Risks of Sunlight-Reflecting Satellites to Astronomical Observation

US regulatory bodies recently approved an experimental project by a startup aiming to launch satellites that reflect sunlight to illuminate parts of the Earth at night. While the stated goals include supporting solar farms and providing emergency lighting, scientific and astronomical communities have expressed serious concerns. Experts warn that the brightness of these satellites could hinder precise deep-space observations and potentially cause severe visual damage to amateur astronomers looking through telescopes. Alongside aviation safety concerns, environmental researchers point to potential negative impacts on biological systems and sleep rhythms of living creatures, warning that the mass deployment of ultra-bright satellites could permanently distort the visual heritage of the night sky.