FCC clears Reflect Orbital's first orbital mirror satellite

The FCC granted Reflect Orbital a license on July 9 to build and operate Earendil-1, a 142 kg demonstration satellite carrying an 18-meter-square thin-film reflector designed to beam sunlight to chosen spots on the ground after dark. The license followed a docket that drew roughly 1,900 mostly critical comments, with the FCC saying optical-astronomy concerns fell outside its regulatory authority while noting Reflect's commitments to coordinate with NASA and the NSF; the company is targeting a launch on a SpaceX rideshare later in 2026.