FCC Approves Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 Space Mirror, Prompting Astronomer and Biologist Opposition

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has granted Reflect Orbital permission to launch its Eärendil-1 demonstration satellite, a low‑Earth‑orbit platform equipped with an 18‑metre‑wide thin‑film mirror. The company says the mirror will reflect sunlight onto the night side of Earth, extending the operating hours of solar farms and offering on‑demand illumination that could be sold to municipalities for up to $5,000 an hour.

Scientists and environmental groups warn the technology could permanently brighten the night sky, impair ground‑based astronomy, and disrupt nocturnal wildlife, plant growth, and human health. Biologists have raised concerns about artificial light interfering with natural dark cycles, while regulators note the growing congestion of satellites in orbit. Reflect Orbital plans to launch the demo before the end of the year, aiming to demonstrate commercial viability and reinforce U.S. leadership in space‑based clean‑energy technologies.