Reflect Orbital

[drja...@aol.com]

There was a piece on the BBC news this morning about Reflect Orbital's plans to launch ~5000 satellites by 2030, in conjunction with Space X.  These satellites will carry 18m x 18m mirrors to reflect sunlight to earth during the night with a 5km beam diameter.  

Applications include projection on to solar farms at night and even replacing a city's street lights.  Maintaining constant lighting requires a continuous chain of satellites with one taking over a given target area every 4 minutes or so.

The immediate application to the US licensing authority, the Federal Communications Agency, FCC, is for one prototype.

The consequences for astronomy are obvious, as are those for wildlife, with light spill pollution more generally.

Objections to the proposals can be made to the FCC.  I have now registered mine.  Though the consultation period expired a few days ago my objection was still accepted.  For anyone also wanting to object, read on.

Objecting requires opening an account with the FCC and then completing a form.  This is simple to do but the system is opaque.

All the required knowledge to complete an objection for this particular "filing" is however very well set out at this website:

including what to answer for some of the required answer questions that won't apply.  The needed filing reference number is  SAT-LOA-20250701-00129.  To fill this in just start typing it.

You have to attach a file with your comments.  I used a simple text file but no doubt it will take MS Word etc.   Best to have this ready beforehand to avoid being timed out.

Be sure to make it clear that you would be directly affected by the proposals.  This is required to make an acceptable objection.  I said simply that they would affect me directly as an astronomer.

James

Sent from my iPad