FCC Approves Test of Space-Based Sunlight Reflection System

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given the go-ahead for a test satellite equipped with a large reflective mirror to redirect sunlight back to Earth. This effort, led by Reflect Orbital based in California, has sparked discussions about its potential benefits and risks.

The satellite, known as Earendil-1, will test if sunlight can be concentrated on specific Earth locations. The reflective light is expected to cover an area approximately 5 kilometers wide. The satellite’s mirror will need repositioning every four minutes during its orbit. Potential applications include supporting agriculture, enhancing emergency response capabilities, and boosting solar-energy generation. Currently, only one demonstration satellite is approved, but Reflect Orbital aims to deploy a larger network in the future.

Critics, including astronomers and experts, express concerns about unintended consequences. University of Texas at Austin professor Moriba Jah commented on a pattern in space commercialization, where immediate action is taken without assessing potential outcomes, leaving others to handle consequences. Newsweek sought comments from the FCC and Reflect Orbital regarding the approval process.

“A single satellite alone would offer no benefits,” said Samantha Lawler, an associate professor of astronomy at the University of Regina.

She explained that the light would be only a few times brighter than moonlight and would move continuously, shining on a location for just four minutes. Lawler believes dozens of satellites are needed to provide sufficient light for applications like solar power.

Critics also warn of a new type of light pollution. Astronomers fear that the bright reflections might disrupt telescope activities and hinder observations of faint celestial bodies. There are also ecological concerns, with artificial light potentially affecting wildlife and human biological rhythms. Additional fears include safety risks for pilots and drivers from intense light and increased congestion in low-Earth orbit.

The FCC acknowledged these concerns but stated they are outside its jurisdiction, focusing only on radio-frequency spectrum use. As a result, the mission was approved.

“What troubles me most is not the technology itself, but the governance posture behind it,” Jah said.

He criticized the FCC for ignoring over 1,600 public comments about possible harms to various sectors and warned about governance gaps in addressing environmental impacts. Similarly, Lawler expressed concerns about the dismissal of public dissent, highlighting a regulatory loophole that allows satellite companies to sidestep scrutiny.

The future of the Earendil-1 mission could shed light on the feasibility of space-reflected sunlight. The test may also offer insights into environmental and societal impacts as nations and companies explore the prospects of artificial illumination.