#reflectorbital

· 3mo ago

“Despite a flood of objections, the FCC has approved a startup's plan to launch a controversial satellite that’ll use a giant mirror to reflect sunlight to Earth after dark. On Thursday, the FCC granted California-based Reflect Orbital permission to launch and operate the satellite in low-Earth orbit using the requested radio spectrum. The reflected light from the satellite is supposed to span an area about 3 miles wide on the ground. The approval is only for one satellite, dubbed Earendil-1, which is meant to test Reflect Orbital’s technology for shining sunlight back to Earth. The satellite will boast a steerable thin-film reflector measuring about 60 feet by 60 feet, with the goal of powering solar farms at night or illuminating disaster-struck areas after dark to help rescue teams. Reflect Orbital envisions operating over 50,000 satellites by 2035, effectively surrounding the Earth with a fleet of mirrors.“ https://ca.pcmag.com/networking/16760/fcc-approves-reflect-orbitals-giant-mirror-satellite-that-astronomers-hate #USA #FCC #Satellites #ReflectOrbital

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Space Environmentalism @space_environmentalism@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

"Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse approval of a startup’s plan to beam on-demand sunlight from #space to Earth, arguing the agency ignored the project’s potential impacts on wildlife, astronomy research and eye safety." https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/environmental-groups-challenge-fcc-approval-startups-plan-beam-demand-rcna591041 #Satellites #SpacePolicy #ReflectOrbital #SunlightAsAService #FCC

NBC News

Environmental groups challenge FCC approval of startup’s plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space

While the FCC approved only a single test mission, the groups argue it could pave the way for a much larger constellation of satellites in the future.

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Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@scicomm.xyz

· 2mo ago

"'They're saying we want to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035,' Benvenuti said. 'That would be catastrophic for astronomy, that is clear.'" https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/reflect-orbital-approval-fcc-9.7287535 #Astronomy #ReflectOrbital #SunlightAsAService #FCC #SpacePolicy

CBC

ANALYSIS | U.S. FCC approves giant space mirror to deliver 'sunlight on demand,' but what are the legal implications? | CBC News

Despite hundreds of public comments opposing a giant space mirror that would shine light roughly five kilometres wide, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has given it the green light. What could this mean for Canadians?

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ofossum 🖖🏻 @ofossum@social.tchncs.de

· 2mo ago

@sundogplanets@mastodon.social Teeny-weeny cheer-up: In an episode subtly named "Orbital Sauron" Linux podcast guys of @latenightlinux@mastodon.social discuss "Reflect Orbital" starting from minute 7. My fav quote? "Make America bright again." 2.5 Admins: 2.5 Admins 309: Orbital Sauron Starting from: 00:07:00 Episode webpage: https://2.5admins.com/2-5-admins-309/ Media file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/latenightlinux/2.5admins-309.mp3#t=421 #reflectorbital

2.5admins.com

2.5 Admins 309: Orbital Sauron – 2.5 Admins

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Mx. Chara Aznable (they/them) of Pnictogen @mxchara@seattle.pink

· 2mo ago

btw on the #ReflectOrbital business, that catastrophically offensive startup who wants to put a big floating mirror in #space called "Eärendil-1". they're claiming to offer "sunlight as a service" and pretending it's a green energy thing. almost certainly they're lying about that and only REALLY want to put a big fucking bright light in the sky because...well these are #tech dunces. the vandalism is the point. they want to leave a mark on the Universe and they don't care if the mark is a gaping wound. but I can also believe easily that techbros are so impatient and cloddish that they can't wait for the Sun to come up

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Space Environmentalism @space_environmentalism@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

"#ReflectOrbital faces staunch opposition from many in the scientific community — including astronomers and scientists who told @MoneyWise@flipboard.com that the satellites could cause harm to life on Earth, pollute the night sky and pose, as Dr. Travis Longcore, co-chair of UCLA’s Environmental Science and Engineering Program, contended, 'an existential threat to optical astronomy.'" https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/fcc-reflect-orbital-space-mirrors-sunlight-satellites #Space #Satellite #SunlightAsAService

FCC approves Reflect Orbital's giant space mirrors to sell 'sunlight on demand' — scientists warn of 'existential threat' to astronomy and the Earth

Moneywise

FCC approves Reflect Orbital's giant space mirrors to sell 'sunlight on demand' — scientists warn of 'existential threat' to astronomy and the Earth

Will Reflect Orbital’s satellites help build a cleaner, more sustainable future — or cause widespread harm in a world where the sky “does not go dark when it is night”?

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Poisaya @poisaya@mastodon.online

· 2mo ago

Boosted by @Dragofix@veganism.social

Observers Beware: Reflect Orbital’s Space Mirrors Approved for Launch https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observers-beware-reflect-orbitals-space-mirrors-approved-for-launch/ via Sky & Telescope #astronomy #lightpollution #pollution #health #biodiversity #reflectorbital

Sky & Telescope

Observers Beware: Reflect Orbital’s Space Mirrors Approved for Launch

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the launch of Reflect Orbital's Earendil 1 satellite — a space mirror 18 meters wide designed to reflect sunlight to the ground.

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GentleMan Gef @SecularJeffrey@ohai.social

· 2mo ago

Mr Burns already solved the #ReflectOrbital problem folks!

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13 @13@2137.social

· 2mo ago

Hackaday Links: July 12, 2026 https://hackaday.com/2026/07/12/hackaday-links-july-12-2026/ #HackadayColumns #Hackadaylinks #Dreamcast #ErnestShackleton #Freecad #Johndeere #Linuxdrivers #ReflectOrbital #Righttorepair #Shipwreck #Spacemirror

Hackaday

Hackaday Links: July 12, 2026

Although we’d rather bring you news of clever modifications and repairs down on the farm, more often than not, the name “John Deere” has appeared on the pages of Hackaday because …

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b҉ @b@convo.casa

· 3mo ago

Replying to

https://ca.pcmag.com/news/16760/fcc-approves-reflect-orbitals-giant-mirror-satellite-that-astronomers-hate On Thursday, the FCC granted the California-based Reflect Orbital permission to launch and operate the satellite in low-Earth orbit using the requested radio spectrum. The reflected light from satellite is supposed to span an area of about three miles wide on the ground. #reflectOrbital #fcc #USPOL #MAGA #corruption #classwar #lightpollution

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b҉ @b@convo.casa

· 3mo ago

https://darksky.org/news/organizational-statement-reflect-orbital/ Reflect Orbital, a planned orbital illumination system, proposes to use in-space mirrors mounted on satellites to reflect sunlight down to Earth at night. The company has described the capability to provide “sunlight on demand” through satellite constellations designed to illuminate areas up to 5 kilometers wide at intensities between 0.8 and 2.3 lux—several times brighter than a full moon. To achieve these levels, multiple satellites would be required for each target area, with illumination lasting only a few minutes as satellites pass overhead. Reflect Orbital has outlined plans for thousands of satellites and is seeking FCC approval to launch its first prototypes in 2026. #reflectOrbital #fcc #USPOL #MAGA #corruption #classwar #lightpollution

DarkSky International

DarkSky International opposes Reflect Orbital’s proposed orbital illumination system

DarkSky International recently released an organizational statement in response to Reflect Orbital’s proposal to use in-space mirrors to reflect sunlight to…

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FinchHaven sfba @FinchHaven@sfba.social

· 3mo ago

Replying to

@AAKL@infosec.exchange I actually searched that article for two key words: 'diameter' and 'beam' It seems that in all the recent breathless coverage of #ReflectOrbital one initial point has been dropped from the discussion completely Exactly how *wide* is the reflected beam going to be, cast on the Earth's surface? It's not like you can stop-down the satellite's beam like the aperture of a camera I distinctly remember the beam diameter being over a kilometer wide -- that you'd be under, while the real target is away somewhere else Seems no one wants to talk about that minor detail any more -- that I've seen, any way... Oh "Reflect Orbital says the satellite will direct a moving beam of sunlight onto areas approximately five kilometers (3.1 miles) wide." 3.1 miles wide? How do you get out from under that if you don't want it to be daylight? Here: https://www.techspot.com/news/113068-fcc-approves-giant-mirror-satellite-designed-beam-sunlight.html cc @TheConversationUS@newsie.social

FCC approves giant mirror satellite designed to beam sunlight to Earth after dark

TechSpot

FCC approves giant mirror satellite designed to beam sunlight to Earth after dark

Back in July 2025, Reflect Orbital submitted an application to launch Eärendil-1, a demonstration satellite designed to test whether sunlight can be redirected from orbit onto specific...

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KB @decembr14@mastodon.scot

· 3mo ago

I’ve been in the satellite industry for over four decades, and in the last of these I’ve been seriously concerned by the explosion in numbers placed in Low Earth Orbit. And now there’s Reflect Orbital. 🤦‍♂️ The FCC said that the “risks of harm raised on the record regarding Reflect Orbital’s solar reflector are unrelated to the Commission’s role in authorizing use of radiofrequency spectrum.” And there’s the problem, right there. https://theconversation.com/the-u-s-just-approved-a-giant-space-mirror-to-test-sunlight-on-demand-low-earth-orbit-is-getting-weird-283482 #LEO #FCC #Satellite #ReflectOrbital

The U.S. just approved a giant space mirror to test ‘sunlight on demand.’ Low Earth orbit is getting weird

The Conversation

The U.S. just approved a giant space mirror to test ‘sunlight on demand.’ Low Earth orbit is getting weird

From space hotels and artificial meteor showers, to a new giant mirror that reflects sunlight to Earth — low-Earth orbit is getting weird.

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MissConstrue @MissConstrue@mefi.social

· 3mo ago

RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/116893541666491703 !! Five Alarm: This is real fucking bad !! Reflect Orbital, a planned orbital illumination system, proposes to use in-space mirrors mounted on satellites to reflect sunlight down to Earth at night. They say they will provide “sunlight on demand” through satellite constellations designed to illuminate areas up to 5 kilometers wide at intensities between 0.8 and 2.3 lux—several times brighter than a full moon. #ReflectOrbital has outlined plans for thousands of satellites and just got #FCC approval to launch. Links in Prof. Lawler's thread explain the science and the insanity of this project. We cannot allow this manifestation of a Bond villain plan to happen. #DarkSky #RightToNight

Quoting

Prof. Sam Lawler

@sundogplanets@mastodon.social

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK NOOOOO https://ca.pcmag.com/news/16760/fcc-approves-reflect-orbitals-giant-mirror-satellite-that-astronomers-hate

Open quoted post

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