Reflect Orbital
AssessPlatforms
A startup proposing mirror-like satellites to reflect sunlight at night.
Why it's here
Placed in Assess: 2 article(s) of evidence from 1 source(s), led by research-stage coverage, with 0 in the last 30 days. Confidence 31%.
Evidence (2)
- 7Hacker News·7/11/2026regulationFCC Approves Test of Satellite Mirror for Nighttime Lighting
The U.S. FCC has approved Reflect Orbital to test its Earendil-1 satellite, which would reflect sunlight back to Earth for wide-area lighting and extra solar energy. The proposal has drawn criticism over potential risks to pilots, drivers, wildlife, plants, human circadian rhythms, and astronomy, while the company says it plans a much larger constellation later.
- 9Hacker News·7/4/2026researchESO study warns 100,000 faint satellites may be the safe limit for orbit
A new European Southern Observatory study says proposed satellite constellations totaling more than 1.7 million spacecraft could severely harm astronomy by brightening the night sky and creating more image streaks. It concludes that no more than 100,000 faint satellites, below naked-eye visibility, should orbit Earth to reduce damage to observations of distant galaxies, exoplanets, and near-Earth asteroids.