FCC Approves 1st Earendil-1 Sunlight-Reflecting Satellite as Nearly 2,000 Protest Comments Warn of Glare
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 23
FCC Approves 1st Earendil-1 Sunlight-Reflecting Satellite as Nearly 2,000 Protest Comments Warn of Glare
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 23
Summary
Earendil-1 won FCC approval Thursday to launch a thin-film reflector that would direct sunlight to specific places on Earth, including at night, as a test of space-based illumination.
Reflect Orbital says the satellite could extend solar generation hours, support critical operations and make existing solar infrastructure more useful, arguing solar still supplies only 7% of global electricity.
Nearly 2,000 comments opposed the application, with astronomy groups and safety advocates warning reflected light could disrupt stargazing and create glare risks for pilots and drivers.
Reflect Orbital says it will tightly control and coordinate any reflected light and would reconsider deployment if evidence fails to support the technology.
The approval covers only one satellite, but the startup has outlined a rapid scale-up from 2 satellites in 2026 to more than 5,000 by 2030.