  We give an overview of the SPHERE experiment based on detection of reflected
Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation (Cherenkov light) from extensive air showers in the
energy region E>10^{15} eV. A brief history of the reflected Cherenkov light
technique is given; the observations carried out with the SPHERE-2 detector are
summarized; the methods of the experimental datasample analysis are described.
The first results on the primary cosmic ray all-nuclei energy spectrum and mass
composition are presented. Finally, the prospects of the SPHERE experiment and
the reflected Cherenkov light technique are given.
