Reflect Orbital Taps Skyroot for Sunlight-on-Demand Deployment
Reflect Orbital has secured two dedicated launches from Indian provider Skyroot Aerospace to deploy its mirror-satellite constellation, bypassing a congested LEO rideshare market.
# Orbital Illumination: Reflect Orbital Contracts Skyroot for Mirror Deployment
Reflect Orbital has secured two dedicated launch contracts with Indian firm Skyroot Aerospace, marking a significant step in the startup’s ambition to provide sunlight on-demand via orbital mirrors. According to Payload, the agreement bypasses a increasingly congested launch market where SpaceX’s Transporter rideshare reservations are reportedly booked through 2029.
Mission Architecture
The manifest includes two distinct vehicles from Skyroot’s Vikram family:
- Vikram-1: A dedicated mission for a ~350kg payload. The vehicle successfully debuted in July.
- Vikram-1U: An upgraded variant capable of delivering ~550kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), scheduled for its maiden flight in Q1 2027.
Reflect Orbital confirmed they will serve as the primary and sole payload for these missions. Financial terms and specific launch windows remain classified.
Strategic Objectives
The startup received FCC clearance in July to operate its first mirror-satellite, Eärendil-1. This unit serves as the precursor for a planned constellation of approximately 50,000 mirrors. The operational goal is to redirect solar energy to terrestrial solar farms after dark, potentially extending renewable energy generation windows. Additional applications include search-and-rescue support and nighttime event lighting.
Market Context
The shift toward dedicated small-launch providers like Skyroot highlights a tactical pivot for LEO operators. As primary rideshare slots on heavy-lift vehicles become scarce—exemplified by Portal Space Systems’ recent purchase of a full Falcon 9 to secure 2028 capacity—startups are seeking sovereign and commercial alternatives to maintain their deployment schedules.