Ultra-Black Coating Could Mitigate Light Pollution Caused by Satellites

• Researchers from the University of Surrey have developed an ultra-black coating, Vantablack® 310, designed to significantly reduce light reflection from satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
• The material aims to mitigate light pollution that interferes with professional astronomical research, such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).
• Current estimates suggest that up to 1.7 million new satellites could be launched in the coming years, exacerbating existing interference issues.

Technical Implementation

• Vantablack® 310, commercialized by Surrey NanoSystems, provides ultra-black performance across various viewing angles while maintaining the durability required for the harsh conditions of space.
• Simulation results demonstrate that the coating makes satellite surfaces faint enough to approach the light-reflection limits recommended by the International Astronomical Union.

Next Steps

• The research team is preparing an in-orbit demonstration via the Jovian-1 CubeSat mission, a collaborative program involving the universities of Surrey, Portsmouth, and Southampton.
• Lead author Astha Chaturvedi will present the findings at the 2026 United Nations Workshop on Dark and Quiet Skies in Vienna to advocate for evidence-based mitigation strategies.