AssetID: 55858422
Headline: U.S. to launch mirrored satellite that can 'turn day into night' by reflecting sunlight
Caption: **VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE** BY MARK WORGAN A California-based space technology company has received regulatory approval to launch a satellite with mirrors that can turn day into night by reflecting sunlight onto Earth. Reflect Orbital has been granted a licence by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch and operate its first test spacecraft, known as Eärendil-1, which will carry a reflective surface measuring about 60ft (18m) on each side. The company hopes to launch the satellite later this year as the first step towards an ambitious plan to deploy more than 50,000 space-based mirrors in low Earth orbit by 2035. The mirrors would be used to direct sunlight towards selected locations on Earth, extending daylight for a range of applications. "Reflect Orbital is exploring a new way to extend the utility of sunlight: reflecting sunlight from orbit to precise, targeted areas on Earth,” Tristan Semmelhack said. “Our goal is to deliver light and energy to help make existing solar infrastructure more useful beyond the hours when direct sunlight is available, reduce fossil-fuel dependence, increase energy resilience, and support critical operations.” Reflect Orbital claims the technology could support emergency services, improve public lighting and increase the output of ground-based solar farms. The company also argues that directing additional sunlight onto solar arrays could increase electricity generation, helping renewable energy replace more fossil fuel-powered generation. However, the proposal has attracted criticism from some astronomers and environmental campaigners who are already concerned about large satellite constellations interfering with astronomical research. “The FCC received over 1800 comments regarding Reflect Orbital and nearly 1500 comments on the application by SpaceX,” explains European Southern Observatory Institutional Affairs Officer Betty Kioko, responsible for coordinating ESO’s response to the proposals. “For optical astronomy, this is an existential threat, and we hope that the regulators will share that view.” Others have warned that increasing numbers of satellites could contribute to atmospheric pollution when they burn up on re-entry, releasing metals into the upper atmosphere. Reflect Orbital's proposal has also raised concerns it could affect both wildlife and people by altering natural night-time conditions. The company says the demonstration mission will allow it to test both the technology and the safeguards designed to minimise any unintended impacts before any wider deployment is considered.
Keywords: feature, photo, video, images, space, science
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