US regulators approve controversial 'mirror satellite' project despite widespread criticism

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted approval for the launch of Eärendil-1, an experimental satellite designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth. Developed by Reflect Orbital, the satellite features a large, deployable reflector intended to illuminate specific areas at night. The company claims this technology could boost agricultural yields, aid rescue operations with powerful nocturnal lighting, enable sustainable urban illumination without streetlights, and enhance solar power generation by directing light onto solar farms. This initial launch is intended to test the feasibility of the technology, with plans for a constellation of 50,000 such satellites in the future. However, the project faces significant opposition from astronomers and environmental activists. Critics warn that the reflected sunlight could disrupt the natural diurnal cycles of plants and animals and interfere with astronomical observations. Prominent researchers, including Tony Tyson from the University of California, express concerns that the reflectors may not be precisely controllable, leading to wider-than-intended illumination and potentially creating a sky filled with artificial moonlight. Organizations managing major European space telescopes in Chile are also worried about reduced star brightness and the diminished capacity of telescopes to detect faint celestial objects. The FCC's approval came despite nearly 1900 predominantly negative public comments, with the commission stating that potential impacts on astronomy and the environment fall outside its jurisdiction. Reflect Orbital has stated its commitment to collaborating with NASA and the National Science Foundation to protect astronomical research, promising to establish strict exclusion zones for sensitive environments and astronomical observation.