Reflect Orbital mirror satellite project

California-based startup Reflect Orbital has received FCC approval to launch Eärendil-1, an experimental satellite featuring an 18-square-meter mirror. This mission serves as a precursor to a proposed constellation of approximately 50,000 mirror-equipped satellites designed to beam sunlight to specific locations on Earth to support solar farms, construction sites, and search-and-rescue operations.

The project has drawn significant concern from researchers regarding environmental and safety impacts. Studies indicate that the reflected light could be intense, with a single 54-meter mirror potentially creating an illuminated zone roughly four times brighter than a full moon.

Specific risks identified include eye damage for astronomers, flash blindness for pilots and drivers, and the disruption of biological circadian rhythms. Additionally, experts warn of increased global night sky brightness caused by atmospheric scattering, noting that the scattered glow could be visible from distances of 14 kilometers away from the direct beam.