FCC Approves Eärendil-1 Satellite Mirror in Controversial Move
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Reflect Orbital’s application to launch Eärendil-1, a satellite equipped with a large mirror designed to reflect sunlight and illuminate specific locations on Earth. The satellite, roughly the size of a bedside table, will orbit Earth at an altitude of 400 miles and deploy a 60-foot-wide mirror to reflect sunlight toward a targeted area, creating a three-mile-wide illuminated patch at night. The FCC emphasized that the approval balances potential risks against public interest benefits,
including promotion of American innovation.
Technology and Cost Structure
Eärendil-1’s mirror will be a motorized, steerable thin-film reflector, according to the FCC’s license. The company plans to charge $5,000 per hour for its use, contingent on customers committing to 1,000 hours annually. Reflect Orbital co-founder Ben Nowack stated that the service is unlikely to appeal to individual photographers due to its high cost, with solar farms and emergency responders cited as more plausible customers. The company’s website describes the technology as a means to make clean, abundant energy available on demand,
with plans to scale the project over time. By 2027, Reflect Orbital aims to deploy 36 satellites capable of mimicking street lighting (2 lux) for 2.5 hours, and by 2035, it envisions over 50,000 satellites that could replicate daylight conditions for 24 hours. However, the FCC has currently authorized only a single satellite for testing.
For more on this story, see FCC Approves Orbiting Sun-Reflecting Satellite.
Opposition from Scientists and Environmentalists
The project has faced significant criticism from astronomers and biologists. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada, told *The New York Times* that the mirrors could change the night sky for everybody in the world,
threatening dark-sky access critical for research. Astronomers worry about interference with observations, while biologists warn of ecological risks. A statement from European, U.S., Japanese, and Canadian biologists, published in *The Guardian*, described the technology as a significant alteration of the natural night-time light environment at a planetary scale.
They cautioned that artificial light could disrupt circadian rhythms in humans and animals, affect migration patterns, and harm marine ecosystems like phytoplankton. The FCC acknowledged these concerns but argued that the minimal risk of harm
was outweighed by the public interest benefits
of testing the technology.
FCC’s Rationale and Regulatory Context
The FCC’s license highlights the agency’s focus on fostering innovation, stating that it is in the public interest to make spectrum available to encourage companies to test new and innovative space activities.
The decision followed a flood of opposition
from stakeholders, including concerns about radio frequency interference and space debris. However, the FCC emphasized that Eärendil-1’s test phase is limited, with no immediate plans for large-scale deployment. The agency noted that the project does not pose a significant risk to aviation, astronomy, or ecological systems
but acknowledged that future iterations would require further review. Reflect Orbital’s application was evaluated against competing interests, with the FCC concluding that the potential benefits of testing the technology justify the limited risks.
This follows our earlier report, Reflect Orbital Gets FCC Approval for Eärendil-1 Satellite Launch.
Company Vision and Future Ambitions
Reflect Orbital’s long-term vision includes launching up to 1,000 satellites, each with mirrors 180 feet wide, capable of reflecting the equivalent of 100 full moons. The company’s website frames the technology as a solution to energy and disaster-response challenges, asserting that humanity can and should use more
of the sun’s energy. While the Eärendil-1 test is a small step, the firm’s roadmap suggests a gradual expansion of its orbital infrastructure. However, the scale of such a project raises questions about long-term environmental and societal impacts, which remain unaddressed in the current regulatory framework. For now, the FCC’s approval marks a pivotal moment for space-based illumination, with the agency leaving the door open for future developments while emphasizing the need for caution.
