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Reflect Orbital seeks to beam sunlight from space via satellite mirrors
Reflect Orbital, a California-based space technology company, has received FCC approval to launch a demonstration satellite, Eärendil-1. The project aims to test the ability to reflect sunlight from low Earth orbit onto specific ground areas, potentially providing "sunlight on demand" for agriculture, disaster relief, and regions without electricity.
The demonstration satellite features a 59-foot-diameter mirror capable of illuminating a three-mile-wide area. The company's long-term goal is to deploy up to 50,000 satellites by 2035. The first test launch is anticipated for later in 2026.
Environmental and scientific groups are challenging the approval. Critics, including the American Astronomical Society and the European Southern Observatory, warn that the technology could cause significant light pollution, disrupt the behavior of nocturnal wildlife, and damage sensitive astronomical equipment. The European Southern Observatory noted that a reflected beam would appear "four times brighter than the full Moon."
The FCC stated that its oversight does not extend to astronomy-related concerns. In response, Reflect Orbital has pledged to implement no-sunlight zones for observatories, ecological regions, and bird migration paths, and has agreed to undergo environmental impact assessments.
Entities
American Astronomical Society · American Bird Conservancy · DarkSky International · Earendil‑1 · Earthjustice · European Southern Observatory · Eärendil-1 · FCC · Federal Communications Commission · Reflect Orbital
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The company's long-term plan involves deploying up to 50,000 satellites by 2035. www.europesays.com · www.epochtimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The company has committed to establishing no-fly zones for sunlight over observatories, ecological areas, and bird migration routes. www.epochtimes.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The company plans to launch the Eärendil-1 demonstration satellite to test sunlight reflection. www.europesays.com · www.epochtimes.com · freerepublic.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Eärendil-1 satellite's reflected beam will illuminate an area approximately three miles in diameter. www.europesays.com · www.epochtimes.com · freerepublic.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The FCC granted approval for the Reflect Orbital test flight but stated it lacks oversight regarding astronomy-related matters. www.europesays.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Advocates are asking the FCC to reverse the approval due to concerns over wildlife disruption and astronomical interference. www.europesays.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The satellite would appear four times brighter than a full moon to observers within the reflected beam. www.europesays.com