FCC Authorizes Reflect Orbital to Launch Experimental Sunlight Satellite
On July 9, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formally authorized the Santa Monica-based startup Reflect Orbital to build, launch, and operate an experimental mirror satellite in low Earth orbit. The spacecraft, named Eärendil-1, is designed to test the feasibility of using an 18-meter, thin-film reflector to beam sunlight onto specific locations on Earth during nighttime hours.
The 142-kilogram satellite is scheduled to launch later this year into an orbit between 600 and 650 kilometers in altitude. The FCC’s approval is limited specifically to this single demonstration mission, which aims to evaluate the technical viability of the reflector technology. Any future expansion into a larger commercial fleet would require additional regulatory review and approval.
Project Goals and Potential Applications
Reflect Orbital intends to use Eärendil-1 to direct reflected sunlight toward the ground for brief periods. According to the company, the satellite will be capable of reflecting light equivalent to a full moon over an area of approximately nine square miles for about five minutes at a time.
CEO Ben Nowack has stated that the company’s broader objective is to develop technology capable of supporting large-scale solar energy production by allowing panels to generate electricity after nightfall. Beyond renewable energy, the company has identified several potential commercial and civilian applications for its “on-demand” sunlight, including:
* Providing emergency illumination for search-and-rescue operations.
* Supporting critical infrastructure during power outages.
* Extending productive hours for remote construction sites.
* Reducing reliance on conventional, fossil-fuel-powered generators.
In a statement following the decision, the company expressed gratitude to the FCC, characterizing the ruling as a validation of American leadership in testing innovative space technology.
Astronomical and Environmental Concerns
The proposal has drawn significant opposition from the scientific community. During the FCC’s regulatory review, the agency received nearly 2,000 public comments, many of which were highly critical of the project. Leading organizations, including the American Astronomical Society, the Royal Astronomical Society, and DarkSky International, have voiced concerns regarding the impact on optical astronomy. Betty Kioko, institutional affairs officer for the European Southern Observatory, has described the potential for large-scale orbital mirror constellations as an “existential threat” to optical astronomy. Researchers warn that even a small number of satellites could increase light pollution, while a full-scale constellation—which Reflect Orbital envisions growing to 50,000 satellites by 2035—could increase background sky brightness at observatories, limiting the ability to detect faint objects in deep space. Tony Tyson, a researcher at UC Davis and chief scientist for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, expressed skepticism regarding the precision of the technology. At a National Academies meeting, Tyson suggested that the thin-film reflectors might scatter light over a wider area than the company claims, potentially creating a sky “filled with moons.”
Environmental advocates have also raised concerns that artificial light from space could disrupt the circadian rhythms of wildlife, interfere with migratory patterns, and affect photosynthesizing organisms such as phytoplankton.
Regulatory Perspective and Future Oversight
Reflect Orbital maintains that its technology is designed with precision in mind, with Nowack stating that the company intends to target only those areas that request illumination.
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