Ultra-Black Coating May Reduce Satellite Light Pollution

Scientists at the University of Surrey have developed an ultra‑black coating that could dramatically reduce the glare produced by satellites, offering a practical solution to the growing problem of light pollution in astronomy. In a recent study, the team demonstrated that the coating, made from a specially engineered material, absorbs over 99.9 % of incident light, far surpassing conventional black paints. When applied to the surfaces of small satellites, the material significantly lowers the amount of reflected sunlight that reaches Earth, thereby preserving the darkness of the night sky for ground‑based telescopes.

The research comes amid increasing concern over the proliferation of satellite constellations, such as SpaceX’s Starlink and OneWeb, which have raised alarms about their cumulative impact on astronomical observations. By reducing the brightness of individual satellites, the Surrey coating could mitigate the cumulative glare that currently hampers the detection of faint celestial objects. The team plans to collaborate with space agencies and commercial launch providers to test the coating on future satellite missions, aiming to integrate it into standard manufacturing processes.

If widely adopted, this technology could help safeguard the night sky for both professional astronomers and the public, ensuring that the faint glow of distant stars remains visible despite the growing number of artificial objects orbiting Earth. The University of Surrey’s breakthrough offers a tangible step toward balancing the demands of modern space infrastructure with the preservation of our planet’s natural darkness.