The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has authorized Reflect Orbital’s experimental mirror satellite, Eärendil‑1, to reflect sunlight onto targeted ground areas after dark. Astronomers and environmental groups warn the project could jeopardise optical astronomy and nocturnal ecosystems.
Key Takeaways
- Eärendil-1 is a test satellite equipped with an 18‑meter reflective mirror.
- The FCC approved its launch into a 625 km low‑Earth orbit.
- Scientists fear significant risks to astronomy, wildlife and aviation safety.
On July 9, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted Reflect Orbital permission to build, launch and operate a low‑Earth‑orbit mirror satellite named Eärendil‑1. The experimental craft, positioned at roughly 625 km altitude, is designed to bounce sunlight onto specific locations on the planet during night‑time, creating temporary illumination zones.
Background and Stated Goals
When WIRED first covered the venture in September 2024, it described the Santa Monica‑based startup’s ambition to supply “on‑demand” sunlight for large solar‑panel farms, allowing them to generate electricity after dark. Two years later, under the Trump administration, the company received formal regulatory clearance. Reflect Orbital argues the technology could support search‑and‑rescue missions, emergency infrastructure, remote construction sites and extend the operating hours of solar installations.
Technical Specs and Potential Applications
Eärendil‑1 carries an 18‑meter‑diameter ultrathin, highly reflective film mirror capable of lighting a 5‑ to 6‑kilometre‑wide area for brief periods. The FCC’s approval limits the test to a single satellite, but the firm envisions a constellation of up to 50,000 units by 2035, a scale that could give rise to a wholly new global industry—one that might one day fill the night sky with artificial “moons.”
Scientific and Environmental Opposition
During the review, the FCC received nearly 2,000 public comments. Leading critics—including the American Astronomical Society, Dark Sky International and the Royal Astronomical Society—warned that even a handful of reflective satellites could exacerbate light pollution, disrupt nocturnal ecosystems, and pose hazards to aircraft pilots. Betty Kioko of the European Southern Observatory called the concept “an existential threat to optical astronomy.”
Regulatory Decision and Future Outlook
The commission concluded that the request concerns only a single experimental demonstration, not a commercial constellation, and therefore did not address the astronomical‑impact concerns in its ruling. Reflect Orbital pledged to work with stakeholders, monitor real‑world effects and adjust the program if evidence shows adverse outcomes. Any future deployment of multiple mirrors will require a fresh regulatory review.
