Politics
US Approves Satellite Mirror to Reflect Sunlight After Dark
Synthesized from2 sources
US Approves Satellite Mirror to Reflect Sunlight After Dark
The US Federal Communications Commission has granted a permit to Reflect Orbital to launch a satellite that will reflect sunlight toward Earth during nighttime.
- The FCC approved Reflect Orbital's experimental satellite, Eärendil-1, for launch into low Earth orbit later this year.
- The satellite will deploy a 60‑foot mirror that redirects sunlight to a circular area roughly three miles wide on the Earth's surface.
- The American Astronomical Society told the FCC that the proposal does not serve the public interest and could seriously impair astronomical observations.
- Astronomer Samantha Lawler warned that losing naturally dark skies would severely hinder research, and the FCC stated its role is limited to communications regulation, not environmental review.
Coverage
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