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Reflect Orbital

Space MirrorsActive
Founded: 2021HQ: Los Angeles, CaliforniaTotal Funding: $35MWebsite →

Space startup developing a constellation of satellite mirrors. Dual-use: directing sunlight to Earth at night for solar energy, OR reflecting sunlight away for geoengineering. $28-35M raised. Backed by Sequoia and Lux Capital.

Key Facts

  • Developing network of orbital satellite mirrors
  • Dual-use technology: sell sunlight at night OR block sunlight for cooling
  • Sequoia Capital's first space investment since SpaceX
  • Founders are American engineers, not geoengineering specialists
  • Had audience with Crown Prince of Dubai about the project

Who's Behind It

Ben Nowack

(American)

CEO & Cofounder

American. 29 years old. Born on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Wentworth Institute of Technology (BS Engineering). Former engineer at SpaceX, Zipline, and Tri-D Dynamics. Built fusion reactors in high school.

Tristan Semmelhack

(American)

CTO & Cofounder

American. Stanford dropout (took leave after first year). Built drones since middle school, started drone design business in 9th grade. Former intern at Zipline. Discovered Nowack via his YouTube channel.

Follow the Money

Series A$20M2025
Lux Capital (lead)vc

American deep-tech VC. Founded by Josh Wolfe (grew up in Coney Island, Brooklyn, raised by single mother/public school teacher, Cornell grad) and Peter Hebert (Syracuse grad).

Sequoia Capitalvc

Tier-1 American VC. Their first space investment since SpaceX.

Starship Venturesvc

American VC.

Sources