THE NIGHT IS NOT FOR SALE
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LATEST NEWS 9 July 2026: the first satellite designed to illuminate Earth at night has been authorised as a radio device, with no review of the mirror. Read more →
A CITIZENS' CAMPAIGN

The Night
Is Not For Sale

A COMPANY HAS BEEN LICENSED TO BOUNCE SUNLIGHT ONTO EARTH AFTER DARK — AND THERE IS NO SWITCH TO TURN THE SKY BACK OFF.

One demonstration mirror was just approved as a “radio device,” with no review of what its light does to the sky below — and thousands more have been discussed. No private company should be able to brighten the night we all share before independent checks on astronomy, wildlife and health, and democratic rules, are in place. We want that review before the first mirror flies.

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Why this matters

Our natural night sky is essential for life, science, ecosystems and human well-being.

ASTRONOMY

We risk losing our view of the Universe.

Artificial light at night can overwhelm telescopes, saturate cameras and blind astronomers. Our ability to explore the Universe is at risk.

Learn more →
WILDLIFE

Night ecosystems depend on darkness.

Millions of species rely on natural night cycles. Light pollution disrupts behaviour, migration, reproduction and survival.

Learn more →
HUMAN HEALTH

Our bodies and minds need true darkness.

Night light affects sleep quality, hormone production and mental health. Children are especially vulnerable.

Learn more →
The central issue: no private company should be able to alter the shared night sky before independent environmental, astronomical and safety assessments — and democratic rules — are in place.
THE REAL RISK ISN'T ONE MIRROR

One test today.
A constellation tomorrow.

This licence covers a single demonstration satellite. But the company has openly discussed tens of thousands of mirrors — and once the first one flies with no environmental review, there is little precedent to stop the rest. The night sky has no off switch, and it belongs to everyone.

See what's at stake, in detail →
ASTRONOMY

A brighter sky hides the faint Universe.

Astronomy depends on detecting extremely faint light against the darkest possible background. Orbital reflectors would not only cross telescope images: scattered light could brighten the sky even when a mirror is not aimed directly at an observatory.

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Higher background brightnessESO modelling estimates that a full 50,000-reflector constellation could make the night sky three to four times brighter overall.
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Lost or contaminated observationsBright reflections can saturate detectors, create trails and scattered light, and make faint galaxies, asteroids and transient events harder to detect.
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Professional and amateur scienceAmateur astronomers also contribute observations of comets, variable stars, occultations and near-Earth objects.
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Visual and instrument safetyThe AAS has asked for photobiological and operational assessment of direct viewing through binoculars or telescopes and sudden bright-light exposure.
The 50,000-reflector constellation has not been authorised. The concern is that approving a demonstration without optical environmental review creates a precedent before cumulative effects are governed.
ESO modelling ↗AAS filing ↗
WILDLIFE

Night is habitat, not empty time.

Darkness is an environmental condition to which life has adapted over billions of years. Artificial light at night can alter behaviour and biological timing across species.

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Navigation and migrationBirds, insects and other animals use celestial and light cues. Artificial light can disorient movement and attract animals away from natural routes.
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Feeding and predator–prey relationshipsIllumination can change when animals forage, hide or hunt, potentially reshaping food-web interactions.
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Reproduction and seasonal timingLight is a biological clock signal. Changes in nighttime light can affect circadian and seasonal behaviours linked to breeding and development.
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A new, poorly studied exposureMoving reflected sunlight from orbit differs from street lighting. Its spectrum, direction, duration and geographical reach require specific study.
Science establishes that artificial light at night is an ecological stressor. It does not yet quantify the consequences of commercial orbital illumination — which is why independent assessment is needed.
Wildlife review ↗DarkSky overview ↗
HUMAN HEALTH & SAFETY

Light affects us — but exposure details matter.

Human circadian rhythms and sleep respond to light. The effect depends on intensity, spectrum, timing, duration and direct viewing. Orbital reflected sunlight has not been independently characterised as a real-world nighttime exposure.

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Circadian timing and sleepNighttime light can alter circadian rhythms and sleep. It would be premature to claim a specific health outcome from orbital illumination without exposure measurements.
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Glare and sudden visual disruptionRegulatory submissions have raised concern about temporary visual disruption for pilots and drivers under worst-case brightness and geometry.
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Viewing through opticsBinoculars and telescopes collect light. AAS requested assessment of eye-safety risks for direct or unexpected viewing through optical instruments.
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Failure and mispointing scenariosSafety analysis should include pointing errors, loss of communication, cyber-security, atmospheric scattering and visibility outside the target area.
The responsible claim is not that orbital illumination is already proven to cause illness. It is that its exposure profile and safety margins were not independently evaluated before the first demonstration was authorised.
Human light & sleep review ↗Review request ↗
18 × 18 m
MIRROR SIZE

Each satellite carries a mirror the size of a tennis court. [1]

Up to 5 km
ILLUMINATED AREA

A single mirror can create a bright spot up to 5 km wide. [2]

50,000+
PLANNED MIRRORS

The company has discussed deploying tens of thousands of satellites. [3]

100%
EVERYONE AFFECTED

There is no “off switch” for the night sky. We all share it.

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Add your voice. Sign the petition.

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What has just happened

On 9 July 2026, the US Federal Communications Commission authorised the Earendil-1 demonstration satellite. The licence concerned its radio equipment; no federal environmental review examined the mirror's optical effects.

The approval applies to one demonstration satellite. It does not authorise a full commercial constellation.

ESTABLISHED

One demonstration satellite has received radio authorisation.

COMPANY PLAN

Test orbital illumination and pursue a much larger commercial system.

NOT AUTHORISED

No 50,000-satellite constellation has been approved.

Who regulates the night sky?

Existing rules focus mainly on radio frequencies, launch safety and debris. Optical effects remain weakly governed internationally. That gap — not one company — is the central policy problem.

How we got here

2024
Reflect Orbital publicises “sunlight on demand.”
Early 2026
Astronomers and citizens object.
9 Jul 2026
FCC authorises Earendil-1 as a radio device.
2026
Demonstration launch planned.
~2035
A much larger constellation has been discussed, but not approved.

Take action

UNITED KINGDOM

Write to your MP

Ask the Government to raise orbital illumination internationally. Find your MP →

AMPLIFY

Tell the story

Contact a journalist, astronomy club or environmental organisation.

Get in touch

Questions, press enquiries, or want to help the campaign? Send us a message and we'll reply by email.

  • PRESS Journalists welcome — we can provide sources and comment.
  • VOLUNTEER Astronomers, scientists and organisers, we'd love your help.
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Our night sky.
Our heritage.
Our future.

It has inspired humanity for millennia. It belongs to all of us — and to those who will come after us.

Let's protect it before it's too late.

Scientific sources
Transparent information
Global solidarity
Democratic decision

Sources

  1. Engadget — FCC grants approval for sun-reflecting space mirror.
  2. Via Satellite — FCC approves Reflect Orbital demonstration satellite.
  3. DarkSky International and PEER — call for environmental review.
  4. European Southern Observatory — modelling of large and bright satellite constellations.
  5. American Astronomical Society — Petition to Deny Earendil-1.
  6. Russart & Nelson — artificial light at night and wildlife behaviour.
  7. Blume et al. — light, circadian rhythms, sleep and mood.