Reflect Orbital
Coverage of Reflect Orbital in the Nexus archive.
- The US Approves the Launch of a Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at Night
The FCC approved Reflect Orbital's launch of the mirror satellite Eärendil-1, which aims to reflect sunlight to illuminate Earth at night. The European Southern Observatory warned this poses an existential threat to optical astronomy.
- Southern California company wants to bring daylight to dark parts of Earth
A Southern California company, Reflect Orbital, has received FCC approval to test a space mirror satellite called Earendil-1. The satellite aims to reflect sunlight to dark parts of Earth, and the license allows the company to launch it using specific frequencies.
- FCC grants approval for sun-reflecting space mirror that's been widely criticized by astronomers
The FCC approved a project by Reflect Orbital to use a network of satellites to direct sunlight at night. The initiative has faced widespread criticism from astronomers.
- Planned 1.7 million satellites ‘devastating’ for astronomy: Study
A study by the European Southern Observatory warns that 1.7 million planned satellites will have 'devastating consequences' for astronomy by brightening the night sky and disrupting telescopic observations. Researchers recommend limiting satellites to 100,000 to preserve ground-based astronomy, citing threats from projects like SpaceX's Starlink and Reflect Orbital's 50,000-mirror satellites.