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13 July 2026
AAS Public Policy Experts Available to Comment on FCC Approval of Reflect Orbital's Earendil-1 Mission
On Thursday, 9 July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted Reflect Orbital permission to deploy and operate its proposed Earendil-1 demonstration satellite in low-Earth orbit using the requested radio spectrum. Earendil-1 would use an 18 m x 18 m mirror to reflect sunlight onto Earth's surface, creating a 5-km-wide beam on the ground. This satellite would test Reflect Orbital's technology for the company's long-term goal of delivering sunlight on demand using a constellation of tens of thousands of in-space mirrors.
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has long raised concerns about the cumulative impact of reflective, bright satellites on optical astronomy and the natural nighttime environment, in addition to potential harmful radio frequency interference impacting radio astronomy.
The AAS has released the following statement in response to the FCC's ruling:
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) is dismayed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision on 9 July to grant a license to Reflect Orbital. As the AAS expressed to the FCC, Reflect Orbital's proposed satellite, which would reflect sunlight back to Earth at night, carries the potential for significant harm to our members and the broader community of those who depend on a dark night sky. This harm could include damage to sensitive research telescope equipment, potential flash-blinding of pilots and drivers, and — as Reflect Orbital stated in its own FCC filings — potential permanent eye damage to anyone looking through a mid-sized telescope.
The AAS is also deeply concerned by the statement from the FCC that the deployment of a solar reflector is beyond the scope of the Commission’s authority to regulate. While the current license is for a single satellite, this logic implies that the Commission would also have no ability to consider the severe implications of a constellation of 50,000 solar reflectors like that envisioned by Reflect Orbital. In the absence of another licensing agency that could take these considerations into account, we believe that it is critical for the FCC to consider all of the impacts of the satellite's use case.
Historically, we have greatly appreciated the FCC’s practice of requiring satellite operators to execute coordination agreements with the National Science Foundation. We are thus further dismayed to see no requirement for a formal coordination agreement to protect federally funded astronomical facilities in the FCC Order and Authorization. While we fully support American technical innovation in space, this innovation cannot come at the cost of imperiling scientific research, which has been at the forefront of American innovation and global leadership for decades.
AAS public policy experts are available to comment on the FCC's approval of Earendil-1 and the impact of Reflect Orbital's proposed mission on ground-based astronomy, the night sky, and the broader orbital environment. To schedule an interview, please contact AAS Deputy Director of Public Policy Roohi Dalal at [email protected], with CC to [email protected].
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About the AAS
The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is a major international organization of professional astronomers, astronomy educators, and amateur astronomers. Its membership of approximately 9,000 also includes physicists, geologists, engineers, and others whose interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising the astronomical sciences. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community, which it achieves through publishing, meetings, science advocacy, education and outreach, and training and professional development.