World's darkest coating could reduce satellite light pollution

A satellite coating made from one of the world's darkest materials could help tackle a growing threat to astronomy, according to new research led by astrophysicists at the University of Surrey. With as many as 60,000 satellites projected to orbit Earth by 2030, scientists are searching for ways to reduce their brightness in the night sky. In a new study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, researchers demonstrate how Vantablack® 310 – an ultra-black coating developed by University of Surrey spinout Surrey NanoSystems, co-authors of the paper – could play a major role in reducing light pollution from satellites in low Earth orbit. The proliferation of satellites already in orbit is raising concerns among scientists and stargazers. Reflected sunlight from spacecraft can create bright streaks and flares that interfere with telescope observations and large-scale surveys of the night sky, making it more difficult to detect faint objects such as asteroids, distant galaxies and other important astronomical phenomena. To tackle the problem, the research team measured how Vantablack® 310 reflects light under a range of illumination and viewing conditions. They then used these laboratory measurements to simulate how a coated satellite surface would appear from the ground. The simulations showed that the coating could make satellite surfaces significantly fainter, bringing their brightness close to the limit recommended by the International Astronomical Union for protecting astronomical observations. The findings suggest that ultra-black coatings could provide a practical way to reduce the impact of future satellites on astronomy and the night sky. Vantablack® 310 reflects only around two per cent of incoming light. The small amount of light it does reflect is distributed more diffusely, reducing the bright flashes commonly produced by reflective satellite surfaces. The team is now preparing for an in-orbit demonstration aboard the Jovian-1 CubeSat mission – a student-led satellite programme involving the universities of Surrey, Portsmouth and Southampton. The demonstration will test both the coating's performance in the space environment and whether the resulting change in brightness can be measured from the ground.  The wider Light Pollution and Sustainable Space initiative, led by Dr Noël, was named Best Sustainable Project at the University of Surrey’s 2026 Sustainability Awards, recognising its systematic approach to reducing satellite brightness through material design.

The work has also reached the international stage, with lead author Astha Chaturvedi invited to present the research at the United Nations Workshop on Dark and Quiet Skies in Vienna, while Dr Noelia Noël has highlighted the wider challenge of satellite light pollution and the need to protect the night sky through her TEDx talk. ###Notes to editors Astha Chaturvedi and Dr Noelia Noël are available for interview; please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange. The full paper can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag1136