The U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved Reflect Orbital’s plan to launch a sun-reflecting satellite, Eärendil-1, which could illuminate Earth at night using a 60-foot mirror. Astronomers warn the project risks transforming the night sky into a light-polluted landscape, with potential ecological and scientific consequences.
FCC Approves First Sun-Reflecting Satellite, Paving Way for 50,000 More
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted California-based startup Reflect Orbital permission to launch Eärendil-1, a satellite equipped with an 18-meter-wide mirror designed to reflect sunlight onto Earth at night.
Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1, scheduled for a 2026 launch, will test the feasibility of its “on-demand sunlight” concept. The satellite’s mirror will illuminate a 3-mile-wide area for short durations, according to the company.
Astronomers Sound Alarm: Light Pollution Could ‘Destroy the Night Sky’
Over 1,800 public comments opposing the project were submitted during the FCC’s review, with astronomers and environmental groups warning of damage. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) called the technology “a new category of artificial light at night with global ecological, cultural, and regulatory consequences.” Olivier Hainaut, an astronomer at the European Southern Observatory, noted that even a single mirror could overwhelm sensitive telescopes, while light scatter from thousands of satellites could “raise the brightness of the whole sky,” making it impossible to observe faint celestial objects.
The AAS noted that an individual satellite like Eärendil-1 is expected to have an optical brightness of at least 2 to 4 times that of the full moon. Organizations including the American Astronomical Society, DarkSky International, and the Royal Astronomical Society have warned about the potential effects such satellites could have on astronomy, nocturnal ecosystems, and aviation safety.
Historical Precedents and Engineering Challenges
Reflect Orbital’s concept is not entirely new.
Despite these concerns, Reflect Orbital claims its satellites are engineered to minimize ecological impact. The company states its mirrors can be turned off quickly so that none of the light reaches the Earth and that they can intentionally avoid sensitive areas like research observatories or protected habitats.
Regulatory Gaps and the Future of Space Governance
The FCC’s approval highlights a broader regulatory gap in space governance. While the agency focuses on communications and radio frequency interference, it does not assess environmental or ecological impacts. The agency also argued that current US regulations do not require environmental reviews for activities carried out in outer space.
“The concept of illuminating Earth from orbit represents a new category of artificial light at night with global ecological, cultural and regulatory consequences,” wrote DarkSky International in an open letter to Reflect Orbital. The group warned that based on current scientific evidence, they do not see a viable pathway for this technology to align with responsible lighting principles or with their mission to protect natural darkness.
What Comes Next? A Test Mission with Global Implications
The success of Eärendil-1 will determine the future of Reflect Orbital’s ambitions. If the test mission proves viable, the company plans to deploy 50,000 satellites by 2035. Any future deployment of multiple satellites would require new regulatory approvals.
For now, the FCC’s approval of Eärendil-1 marks a pivotal moment in the debate over humanity’s role in shaping the night sky. The coming years will test whether innovation can coexist with the preservation of a shared celestial heritage.
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