Overview
- Reflect Orbital has applied to the FCC to launch EARENDIL-1 in April 2026, a 18-by-18-meter mirror satellite intended to test targeted after-dark illumination.
- The company outlines a follow-on constellation of roughly 4,000 satellites by 2030, scaling mirrors up to 54 meters to direct light to solar farms and selected locations.
- Astronomers estimate a single 54-meter mirror would be about 10,000–15,000 times dimmer than midday sunlight, implying around 3,000 mirrors for 20% of noon brightness and well over 4,000 for continuous coverage.
- Experts say the mirrors would appear as bright moving points and produce multi-kilometre light spots, risking major interference with astronomical observations, disturbing nocturnal species, and creating uncontrolled illumination if a mirror tumbles.
- Reporting notes investor interest and a $1.25 million U.S. Air Force SBIR award, with the company indicating it will conduct an environmental assessment and regulators yet to approve any constellation.