Earendil-1

FCC license granted July 9, 2026; launch on a SpaceX rideshare still expected later in 2026, but as of September 16, 2026 Reflect has not named the mission or a date, and the license remains under a pending Application for Review

Spacecraft mass

142 kg

Reflector

18 m x 18 m thin film

Orbit

88 degree

(+/- 2 degree) near-polar inclination; deploys to a 510 km (+/- 20 km) insertion orbit then raises to a 625 km (+/- 25 km) operational orbit

Announced next steps from Reflect Orbital that mention Earendil-1.

1. Aug 72026

   Environmental groups petition FCC to reverse Reflect Orbital OK

   DarkSky International, Environment America, the American Bird Conservancy and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed a petition on August 6 asking the FCC to reverse its approval of Reflect Orbital's Earendil-1 demonstration satellite, which would carry a 59-foot-wide mirror to reflect sunlight onto specific spots on Earth during darkness. The groups argue the FCC limited its review to radiofrequency spectrum and ignored potential harm to nocturnal wildlife, astronomy and eye safety, and warned the single approved test mission could pave the way for a much larger constellation.

   NBC News ↗DarkSky International ↗

2. Jul 302026

   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.

   SpaceNews ↗Space.com ↗

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  In Development

  Sunlight on Demand service

  The commercial service the constellation is meant to deliver: customers request light at a location and time through an app, and passing reflectors steer sunlight onto it. Reflect commits to keeping reflections controllable and avoidable, publishing satellite positions in advance and geofencing observatories out of the service map. Brightness and duration scale with fleet size, from minutes of moonlight in 2026 toward daylight-level intensity in the 2030s.

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  Active

  Falcon 9

  SpaceX

  Partially reusable two-stage medium-lift launch vehicle. The world's most frequently launched orbital rocket.

  Payload to LEO

  22,800 kg (expendable)

  Payload to GTO

  8,300 kg (expendable)

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  Active

  Falcon Heavy

  SpaceX

  Heavy-lift launch vehicle consisting of a strengthened Falcon 9 core with two additional boosters.

  Payload to LEO

  63,800 kg

  Payload to GTO

  26,700 kg

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  Active

  Dragon

  SpaceX

  Reusable spacecraft for cargo and crew transport to the International Space Station.

  Crew Capacity

  Up to 7

  Cargo Capacity (pressurized)

  6,000 kg

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  In Development

  Starship

  SpaceX

  Fully reusable super-heavy-lift launch system designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. V3 (Block 3) variant with Raptor 3 engines is the production version.

  Payload to LEO

  100–150 t

  Height

  121 m (397 ft)