FCC Greenlights Mirror Satellite Designed to Reflect Sunlight onto Earth at Night

The US Federal Communications Commission has approved Reflect Orbital to launch a mirror satellite called Eärendil-1. The satellite is designed to reflect sunlight back toward Earth, illuminating specific areas during nighttime hours. The approval has drawn sharp criticism from the astronomical community, with the European Southern Observatory warning that such satellites pose a serious threat to optical astronomy. Scientists fear that artificial light reflected from orbiting mirrors could interfere with ground-based telescope observations. The debate highlights growing tensions between commercial space ventures and the scientific community over the use of low Earth orbit.