FCC Greenlights Space Mirror Launch, Astronomers Express Concerns
WHO:
Wired - The European Southern Observatory stated, “For optical astronomy, this poses an existential threat.”
CNET - Reflect Orbital is the company making the space mirror.
WHAT:
Fast Company - Reflect Orbital's demonstration satellite is described as "an example of a potentially groundbreaking technology" by the FCC.
Fast Company - The American Astronomical Society warned that the project could cause "flash blinding" among airline pilots and nighttime drivers.
Fast Company - The American Astronomical Society stated that the activities proposed by Reflect Orbital will impact "human health, agriculture, and wildlife, in addition to astronomy."
Fast Company - Tony Tyson, a distinguished research professor, described Reflect Orbital's plans as "even crazier" than the proliferation of broadband satellites operated by companies like SpaceX and Amazon.
Fast Company - Tyson expressed concerns that the mirrors' thin-film reflectors could scatter sunlight across a broad area rather than directing it precisely toward a target, saying, "Imagine the sky full of moons."
Fast Company - Reflect Orbital plans to launch a satellite equipped with a 60-foot-wide mirror into low Earth orbit later this year.
Fast Company - Reflect Orbital hopes to launch 1,000 satellite mirrors by the end of 2028 and another 5,000 by 2030.
Fast Company - The largest proposed mirror would span 180 feet and shine the equivalent of 100 full moons back toward Earth.
Wired - The FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch the mirror satellite Eärendil-1.
CNET - The FCC has approved a single satellite for a test demonstration.
Space.com - Reflect Orbital plans to launch its first light-directing space mirror later this year.
Space.com - Reflect Orbital hopes to eventually launch 50,000 space mirrors into orbit over the next 10 years.
WHEN:
Space.com - The first launch of the space mirror is planned for later this year.
Space.com - Tens of thousands more space mirrors could follow over the next 10 years.
WHY:
Fast Company - Reflect Orbital argues that the satellites could reduce fossil-fuel use by extending the hours during which solar farms can generate power, potentially helping to slow climate change.
HOW:
Fast Company - The FCC described the concerns raised by scientists as "hypothetical" and stated that activities in space are not subject to environmental laws.
(UPDATED July 14, 2026 19:23 UTC)
The FCC has labeled Reflect Orbital's demonstration satellite as "an example of a potentially groundbreaking technology," but the American Astronomical Society has raised alarms about its potential effects, warning that it could cause "flash blinding" for airline pilots and nighttime drivers. They also expressed concerns that the project's activities may impact "human health, agriculture, and wildlife, in addition to astronomy." Distinguished research professor Tony Tyson described Reflect Orbital's plans as "even crazier" than the surge of broadband satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon, cautioning that the mirrors' thin-film reflectors might scatter sunlight broadly, leading to a sky that could be "full of moons."
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(UPDATED July 14, 2026 11:21 UTC)
Reflect Orbital is planning to launch a satellite equipped with a remarkable 60-foot-wide mirror into low Earth orbit later this year, with ambitions to deploy a total of 1,000 satellite mirrors by the end of 2028 and an additional 5,000 by 2030. The largest proposed mirror would span an impressive 180 feet, reflecting the light of 100 full moons back toward Earth, which the company believes could significantly reduce fossil-fuel use by extending solar power generation hours and potentially aiding in the fight against climate change. While some scientists have raised concerns about these plans, the FCC has labeled those worries as "hypothetical" and clarified that space activities are not governed by environmental laws.
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(UPDATED July 14, 2026 09:33 UTC)
The European Southern Observatory has warned that a new development poses an existential threat to optical astronomy. In a significant move, the FCC has authorized Reflect Orbital to launch its mirror satellite, Eärendil-1. This launch is expected to take place on September 1, 2026.
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(UPDATED July 14, 2026 03:59 UTC)
Reflect Orbital has received approval from the FCC for a single satellite to conduct a test demonstration of its innovative space mirror technology. The company plans to launch its first light-directing space mirror later this year, with ambitions to eventually deploy 50,000 mirrors into orbit over the next decade. This groundbreaking project aims to revolutionize how we harness and direct light from space.