The concept of using space-based mirrors to redirect sunlight to Earth has been a subject of interest for over a century. The primary goal of these projects is to provide continuous solar energy or artificial illumination to specific geographical locations, regardless of the time of day. This technology was previously tested by Russian scientists during the 1990s through the Znamya project, which utilized orbiting mirrors to reflect light back to the planet's surface.

Reflect Orbital, a company based in California, is now attempting to modernize and implement this concept. The firm is currently working on a test satellite named Eärendil. While the project promises potential benefits for renewable energy production and nighttime lighting, it has also sparked concerns regarding its impact on the field of astronomy and potential risks to human eyesight. Critics argue that the increased light pollution could interfere with astronomical observations, while others have raised questions about the safety of concentrated light beams directed toward the ground. As the company moves toward testing, the debate continues over whether the utility of space-based solar reflection outweighs the potential environmental and scientific drawbacks.