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A California-based company called Reflect Orbital has received Federal Communications Commission approval to launch a test satellite equipped with a large mirror designed to reflect sunlight onto Earth’s surface. The satellite, named Eärendil-1, represents a modern revival of an idea that has attracted scientific interest for over a century. The company envisions eventually deploying up to 50,000 such mirrors in orbit to provide on-demand solar illumination for power generation, agriculture, emergency rescue operations, and street lighting in cities.
The concept involves positioning an 18-square-meter mirror in space and angling it to direct sunlight to specific locations. The beam would span approximately 5 kilometers and could theoretically offer numerous practical benefits, including enhanced renewable energy capture and faster completion of construction projects. However, the brightness of this reflective satellite has raised serious concerns within the scientific community and among health experts.
Astronomers warn that the satellite’s extraordinary luminosity—comparable to Venus from outside the beam and four times brighter than the Moon within it—poses significant risks to astronomical observation. Leading organizations including the American Astronomical Society and the Royal Astronomical Society have expressed alarm about potential damage to telescopes and research capabilities. Beyond impact on astronomy, experts also caution about direct hazards to human health, including the risk of permanent eye damage from telescope exposure, and threats to wildlife and ecosystems from light pollution.
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Originally reported by Theverge →
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