Astrophysicists from the University of Surrey have developed an ultra-black coating, Vantablack 310, to mitigate the brightness of satellite constellations. Their research, published on July 2, 2026, in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, aims to address the impact of over 1.7 million planned satellites on astronomical observations.
Understanding the Problem of Satellite Brightness
With the increasing number of satellites in low-Earth orbit, the reflected sunlight from these spacecraft can create bright streaks that interfere with telescope observations. This light pollution complicates the detection of faint celestial objects like asteroids and distant galaxies. The challenge lies in finding solutions that do not require major changes to satellite designs.
The research team measured how Vantablack 310 reflects light under various illumination conditions. The simulations indicated that using this coating could significantly reduce satellite brightness, aligning it closer to recommendations by the International Astronomical Union for protecting astronomical observations.
Vantablack 310: A Potential Solution
Vantablack 310 is one of the darkest materials, reflecting only about 2% of incoming light, and it diffuses the small amount of light it does reflect. This characteristic could help reduce the bright flashes commonly associated with reflective satellite surfaces. According to Astha Chaturvedi, lead author of the study, “Our results show that relatively simple material choices could make a meaningful difference to how satellites affect astronomical observations.”
