Fwd: Crucial Update: FCC Approves Reflect Orbital’s "Space Mirror" Satellite

[Mark Scrivener]

Some very bad news we all need to be aware of....

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ruskin Hartley <con...@darksky.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 12:21 PM
Subject: Crucial Update: FCC Approves Reflect Orbital’s "Space Mirror" Satellite
To: MARK SCRIVENER <markwsc...@gmail.com>

Despite an unprecedented flood of objections, FCC has officially approved Reflect Orbital’s application to launch its Earendil-1 satellite.

www.darksky.org   Dear MARK,   We are writing to share some deeply disappointing news regarding our collective fight to protect the night sky. Despite an unprecedented flood of objections—including more than 12,200 people from more than 100 countries who signed our open letter, and over 1,800 formal public comments from astronomers, scientific institutions, and concerned individuals—the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially approved Reflect Orbital’s application to launch its Earendil-1 satellite. Here is what you need to know about the decision, the critical regulatory loopholes it exposes, and the next steps DarkSky and our coalition partners are preparing. What the FCC decided (and where they erred) The approval grants Reflect Orbital permission to launch a single demonstration satellite later this year. This satellite will deploy an 18-foot by 18-foot thin-film mirror designed to reflect a three-mile-wide beam of sunlight down to Earth at night.   The FCC completely bypassed the core environmental and safety issues we raised. In its order, the Commission stated that: It lacks the authority to review the impacts of a solar reflector because its regulatory mandate is strictly limited to authorizing the use of radiofrequency spectrum. Environmental harms are considered "unlikely to occur" because the mission involves only a single satellite, despite concerns that it marks the first step toward Reflect Orbital's proposed constellation of up to 50,000 satellites by 2035. Conducting a formal environmental review under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) for this satellite completely goes beyond its authority. By hiding behind standard regulatory boundaries, the FCC has chosen to ignore the immediate disruption of local nocturnal ecosystems, risks of flash-blinding pilots and drivers, and eye damage to telescope users—even from a single satellite. This decision highlights a dangerous gap in how space technology is regulated. Treating orbital light pollution as an issue "unrelated" to space licensing is a bureaucratic evasion that puts our shared global commons at risk. The issue here is not innovation—it's responsibility. New technologies should move forward with rigorous environmental review, public transparency, and meaningful oversight to ensure the night remains protected for future generations. Please know that this is not the end of the road. Our statement and next steps DarkSky, alongside EarthJustice and our coalition partners, is analyzing the text of the FCC’s order. We are evaluating all available options to challenge this decision and block the ultimate vision of a 50,000-satellite fleet. Just this week, EarthJustice filed a critical intervention on behalf of our coalition, and we are prepared to continue using every legal and advocacy tool at our disposal. Your signature in support of our opposition sent a powerful message: The public will not quietly accept the commercialization and destruction of the night sky.    We will keep you informed every single step of the way as our legal and policy teams map out our next moves.   Thank you for your passion and continued dedication to protecting the night.   Dark skies for all, Ruskin Hartley CEO & Executive Director DarkSky International   DarkSky International 5049 East Broadway Blvd #105 Tucson, AZ 85711 United States If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.

[Dave Bullock]

Honestly i don’t think the financials work out here with the improvement we’re seeing in battery tech. But also ok im looking forward to getting more use out of my solar ota. 

On Jul 10, 2026, at 1:14 PM, Mark Scrivener <markwsc...@gmail.com> wrote:



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