Reflect Orbital to launch "Eärendil-1," an 18-meter-wide orbital mirror

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 The U.S. FCC recently cleared Hawthorne-based startup Reflect Orbital to launch "Eärendil-1," an 18-meter-wide orbital mirror designed to reflect sunlight back to specific locations on Earth at night. The company aims to sell on-demand artificial twilight for solar farms, disaster relief, and round-the-clock construction. [1, 2, 3]

How it Works
The concept relies on large, ultra-lightweight deployable reflectors (made of materials like mylar) that fold up during launch and expand once in low Earth orbit. [1, 2, 3]
  • Targeted Beams: By precisely angling the mirror, it can direct a beam of sunlight onto dark, predetermined coordinates. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • Brightness: The beam is adjustable and at its maximum can appear brighter than the full Moon, casting up to 36,000 lux (daylight brightness) if fully concentrated, though commercial setups will likely aim for softer, moonlight-level illumination. [1, 2, 3]
  • Control: The mirrors can be rotated out of position, turning the "sunlight on demand" completely off for anyone not in the authorized service area. [1, 2]
Commercial & Operational Applications
Reflect Orbital plans to monetize this technology across a few key industries: [1, 2, 3]
  • Solar Energy: By directing extra sunlight to solar farms during peak evening demand times (dawn/dusk), the mirrors are expected to increase a facility's power generation capacity. [1, 2]
  • Emergency Response: Flooding precise, unlit disaster zones with artificial sunlight to assist with nighttime search and rescue operations. [1, 2]
  • Industry & Events: Selling scheduled light for long-duration construction or large-scale outdoor events. [1, 2]
Challenges & Criticisms
Despite FCC approval, the concept remains highly controversial due to its potential side effects: [1, 2, 3]
  • Astronomical Interference: Observers and researchers (including the European Southern Observatory) are concerned that tens of thousands of these bright satellites will severely disrupt optical astronomy and ground-based telescopes. [1, 2, 3]
  • Light Pollution: Environmentalists warn that artificial night-time lighting could disrupt natural circadian rhythms, impact wildlife and bird migrations, and degrade the night sky for the general public.
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