Work

Mitigating satellite trails through retroreflective coatings: A proposal for preserving the night sky

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We propose retroreflective coatings on satellites to mitigate sunlight reflections that cause disruptive trails in astronomical observations. By redirecting sunlight back toward the Sun, this approach reduces apparent brightness without creating thermal burdens, while also enhancing satellite tracking capabilities—offering a timely and practical pathway to address impacts from growing satellite constellations.

Source: Acta Astronautica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2026.01.042

Authors: Tobias Degen, John C. Barentine, Gyula I.G. Józsa, Thomas Walter, Jacqueline Degen

Institutions: Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, University of Würzburg, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Light on Environment and Health

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft