FCC approves test of space-based mirror that could brighten night skies but raises safety concerns
The FCC has authorized Reflect Orbital to launch a prototype satellite that will reflect sunlight to Earth, prompting warnings from astronomers and health experts about potential eye damage and light pollution.
The Federal Communications Commission has granted Reflect Orbital permission to launch its prototype satellite, Earendil-1, which will deploy a 59-foot film reflector in low-Earth orbit to bounce sunlight onto a ground area up to three miles wide. The company envisions a future constellation of up to 50,000 similar mirrors that could illuminate nighttime locations with 0.8 to 2.3 lux, far brighter than the 0.05-0.3 lux provided by a full Moon.
Reflect Orbital says the technology could support clean-energy goals and provide critical nighttime lighting, and it claims to work with astronomers as a member of the International Astronomical Union’s Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky. The firm added that its satellites will default to an “off” state and can be dimmed, turned off, or relocated as needed, with each illumination request requiring approval from relevant authorities.
Environmental groups have filed a petition asking the FCC to reverse the approval, and DarkSky International called for transparency, environmental review, and public accountability before any deployment. Optical engineer Eric Bretschneider warned that looking directly at the reflected light could cause eye damage similar to viewing a solar eclipse, while Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society said amateur astronomers could be blinded if they inadvertently point telescopes at the satellite.
The upcoming launch will test both the technical feasibility of space-based sunlight reflection and the extent of its impact on observers and the night sky.