The US Approves the Launch of a Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at Night
Javier CarbajalScienceJul 14, 2026 4:30 AMThe US Approves Launch of Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at NightThe FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch the mirror satellite Eärendil-1. The experimental satellite, named Eärendil-1, would be capable of reflecting sunlight onto specific locations on Earth during the night. The authorization allows the company to deploy the test satellite at an altitude of about 625 kilometers.
- ▪Javier CarbajalScienceJul 14, 2026 4:30 AMThe US Approves Launch of Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at NightThe FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch the mirror satellite Eärendil-1.
- ▪The experimental satellite, named Eärendil-1, would be capable of reflecting sunlight onto specific locations on Earth during the night.
- ▪The authorization allows the company to deploy the test satellite at an altitude of about 625 kilometers.
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Javier CarbajalScienceJul 14, 2026 4:30 AMThe US Approves Launch of Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at NightThe FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch the mirror satellite Eärendil-1. “For optical astronomy, this poses an existential threat,” the European Southern Observatory said.Photograph: Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyOn July 9, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized Reflect Orbital to build, launch, and operate a mirror satellite in low Earth orbit. The experimental satellite, named Eärendil-1, would be capable of reflecting sunlight onto specific locations on Earth during the night.
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