Giant Space Mirror Approved by US to Test ‘Sunlight on Demand’ Technology
VANCOUVER: The United States has approved a controversial test of a giant space mirror designed to create “sunlight on demand,” clearing the way for a first-of-its-kind satellite experiment despite concerns from astronomers, safety experts, and members of the public. The approval, granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), allows California-based Reflect Orbital to launch and test a single satellite called Earendil-1, which aims to reflect sunlight back to Earth to provide additional illumination and support solar energy generation.
The experimental satellite will direct reflected sunlight over an area roughly five kilometres wide, with the beam requiring repositioning every four minutes as the spacecraft moves in low Earth orbit. The company says the technology could provide temporary lighting in remote locations, increase solar power generation during periods of limited daylight, and assist emergency response operations following natural disasters.
Reflect Orbital views the mission as the first step toward a much larger constellation, with plans to deploy more than 50,000 mirror-equipped satellites by 2035. According to the company, the network could serve agriculture, disaster relief, infrastructure projects, and other industrial applications by delivering controlled sunlight where and when it is needed.
However, the ambitious project has sparked widespread criticism from astronomers and environmental advocates, who warn that bright artificial reflections could interfere with astronomical observations, increase light pollution, and add to the growing congestion in low Earth orbit. Critics have also raised concerns about the long-term environmental and safety implications of operating thousands of reflective satellites, making the upcoming Earendil-1 mission a closely watched test for the future of space-based illumination technology.
