Environmental groups petition FCC to halt satellite sunlight test

Four environmental groups filed a petition Thursday urging the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its recent authorization of Reflect Orbital’s Earendil-1 demonstration satellite. The satellite, equipped with a 59-foot-wide mirror, is intended to reflect a roughly 3.1-mile-wide beam of sunlight onto a specific location on Earth during nighttime as a test of on-demand lighting from space.

The petition, submitted by DarkSky International, Environment America, the American Bird Conservancy and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, argues that even a single test could set a precedent for a future megaconstellation of more than 50,000 satellites that the company envisions deploying by 2035. The groups contend the FCC did not adequately assess potential impacts on wildlife, astronomical research and public safety.

"The FCC needs to take their responsibilities under the law seriously," said Earthjustice attorney Jan Hasselman, calling for a full review of the project’s environmental and safety implications.

Experts cited in the filing warn that the concentrated light could create glare hazards for pilots and drivers and pose eye-damage risks if people look directly at the bright spot, likening it to the intensity of a solar eclipse. Optical engineer Eric Bretschneider noted that cloud cover would limit the technology’s usefulness for rescue or solar-power applications.

Astronomers also expressed concern that the satellite’s visible beam would interfere with observations worldwide. Samantha Lawler, an associate professor of astronomy, said the satellite would be visible during each orbit and could wash out the night sky, forcing observatories to adjust their schedules.

The petition highlights potential ecological effects, stating that artificial nighttime illumination can disrupt the behavior of migratory birds, insects and other nocturnal species. "Every animal studied at night shows some impact from artificial light," said Ruskin Hartley, executive director of DarkSky International.

The groups are asking the full commission to overturn the Space Bureau’s decision and require a comprehensive evaluation of environmental, safety and public-interest impacts before the demonstration proceeds. The FCC has not responded to requests for comment, and Reflect Orbital declined to comment on the petition.