A Russian project, known as 'Znamya' or 'Banner', has proposed deploying large orbital mirrors to reflect sunlight onto Earth's night side. The concept, revived by Russian space agency Roscosmos and private firms, aims to provide additional lighting for cities, potentially reducing the need for streetlights and saving energy.
According to reports from 2025, the mirrors would be placed in low Earth orbit, each spanning up to 200 meters in diameter. They would reflect sunlight onto specific areas, creating a glow equivalent to several full moons. The project has faced skepticism from astronomers concerned about light pollution and ecological impacts.
Previous tests in the 1990s, including the Znamya 2 experiment, successfully deployed a 20-meter mirror from a Progress spacecraft, briefly illuminating a spot on Earth. However, a later attempt failed. The current proposal aims for a more permanent deployment, with a potential launch date as early as 2027.
Critics argue that the mirrors could disrupt nocturnal wildlife and interfere with astronomical observations. Proponents counter that the technology could provide emergency lighting in disaster zones and reduce energy consumption in urban areas. No official timeline or funding has been confirmed as of April 2026.
