The US has approved the launch of a mirror satellite that can reflect sunlight and illuminate the Earth at night

On July 9, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved Reflect Orbital’s construction, launch, and operation of the mirror. satellite in low earth orbit. The experimental satellite, called Eärendil-1, is able to project sunlight onto a specific area of ​​the Earth at night. The project has drawn criticism from astronomers and environmentalists.

WIRED wrote about the large Reflect Orbital mirror inside September 2024while the project is still in the early stages: “The main goal of the Santa Monica, California-based startup is to ensure that the electricity of the large electric power plants is always available, allowing them to generate electricity even at night and thereby solve one of the main problems of the renewable energy source.” Two years later, the Trump administration has said given green light for this provider of “on demand” sunlight.

With an 18-meter reflector, Eärendil-1 can illuminate areas 5 to 6 kilometers away for a short period of time (the name of the mirror satellite represents a character from JRR Tolkien’s. The Lord of the Rings list). The license allows the company to send a test satellite to a distance of about 625 kilometers. Its main purpose is to test the technical feasibility of its high-resolution, high-resolution, film-based detector.

“We are grateful to the FCC for allowing us to use our test,” the company said he said on social media. “This award is an honor for our company and demonstrates America’s leadership in testing space technology.”

The US startup says this highly controversial technology could have a variety of civilian, commercial, and government applications. This includes providing lighting for search and rescue operations, supporting essential equipment during emergencies, extending solar power hours, and temporarily lighting remote construction sites without relying on conventional generators.

Beyond “Let’s Sleep”

Eärendil-1 may be just the beginning. Show Orbital plans to operate 50,000 satellites by 2035. It’s just one company. If this project succeeds, it could start a new business worldwide, waking up many people, figuratively speaking. Tony Tyson, a researcher at the University of California, Davis and chief scientist of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, said: “Imagine the sky full of the moon. Tyson is still skeptical that satellites will be able to track visible light in such detail as it starts.

During its review of the rules, the FCC received nearly 2,000 public comments questioning the proposal. Among its main critics were the American Astronomical Society, DarkSky International, and the Royal Astronomical Society. These organizations warn of the impact these satellites may have on astronomy, nighttime ecology, and aviation safety.

Opponents argue that ground-based observatories must contend with the thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit that interfere with astronomical observations. Even just a few glasses of space can increase the damage caused by light making evaluation more difficultwhile a large constellation of future satellites could dramatically change the appearance of the night sky. “For astronomy, this is dangerous, and we hope that regulators will share that view,” said Betty Kioko, director of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), in a statement ahead of the FCC’s decision.

Some researchers have suggested that there are flashes of light that could affect pilots, pilots, or wildlife that depend on natural light and darkness.

Despite this objection, the FCC confirmed that the project only used a single experimental satellite, not a commercial constellation. In its decision, the commission states that Eärendil-1 is a short-term technical demonstration whose results will help to determine whether the concept is technically feasible and to identify the challenges associated with future developments. Any future deployment of multiple satellites may require new regulatory approvals.