Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup developing satellite-based mirror systems to redirect sunlight to Earth, has secured $73.5 million in new funding. This latest round brings the company's total capital raised to over $100 million. Previous financing included a $20 million Series A in May 2025 and a $6.5 million seed round in September 2024.
The funding round saw participation from existing investors Sequoia Capital, Lux Capital, and Starship Ventures. New investors include Buckley Ventures, Convective Capital, The Uncommon Group, and Salesforce Ventures. The company plans to utilize these resources for upcoming satellite missions, with a demonstration flight scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
Founded by former SpaceX and Zipline engineer Ben Nowack and Tristan Semmelhack, the startup is building a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. Each satellite features a deployable square mirror measuring approximately 60 feet across. These mirrors are designed to reflect sunlight onto a five-kilometre wide area on the ground, providing illumination comparable to a full moon.
The company has secured two dedicated launch contracts with India’s Skyroot Aerospace, utilizing Vikram-1 and Vikram-1U rockets. The first demonstration mission, Eärendil-1, has received FCC approval. Reflect Orbital aims to scale its operations to 50,000 satellites by 2035, targeting applications in emergency response, construction, and extending the output of solar energy farms.
Reflect Orbital is part of a growing sector of space-based energy startups. Other industry players include TerraSpark, which raised over €5 million in March 2026, and Star Catcher Industries, which secured $65 million in May 2026. These companies are currently testing the viability of space infrastructure to provide new energy services to terrestrial markets.
