Vantablack 310 Cuts Satellite Reflection to 2%, Heads for Jovian-1 Space Test
Updated
Updated · GIGAZINE（ギガジン） · Jul 12
Vantablack 310 Cuts Satellite Reflection to 2%, Heads for Jovian-1 Space Test
3 articles · Updated · GIGAZINE（ギガジン） · Jul 12
Summary
Jovian-1 will carry Vantablack 310 in a planned on-orbit test to verify whether the coating keeps satellites dimmer in space and whether that brightness change can be measured from the ground.
Lab results showed the coating reduced incident-light reflection to 2% and diffused the remaining light, limiting the bright flashes common on reflective satellite surfaces.
AB magnitudes for coated satellites ranged from 6.7 to 7.8, versus about 3.7 for uncoated SpaceX satellites, putting many coated cases near the International Astronomical Union's recommended threshold of 7 or lower.
More than 14,000 satellites were in orbit by July 2026, and planned constellations could push that total above 1.7 million, raising pressure for mitigation as reflected light increasingly disrupts astronomical observations.
The study covered optical performance only; thermal behavior, durability and integration into operational satellite systems still need testing before wider deployment.
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Vantablack 310’s 2026 Space Debut: A New Standard for Reducing Satellite Light Pollution
Overview
The upcoming orbital test of Vantablack 310 marks a major step in tackling the growing problem of satellite light pollution. With over 14,900 satellites already in orbit and numbers expected to rise sharply due to private megaconstellations like Starlink, astronomers are struggling with increased interference in their observations. The Jovian-1 CubeSat will carry Vantablack 310 into space to test its ability to reduce satellite brightness, aiming to protect ground-based astronomy. This experiment could lead to new standards for satellite design, helping to preserve our view of the night sky as satellite numbers continue to climb.