A company called Reflect Orbital has won permission from the FCC to launch a satellite that acts like a mirror in space. Earendil-1 will be designed to bounce sunlight down to Earth's surface at night — to extend solar panel power after dark, help search-and-rescue teams see better, or provide outdoor lighting Engadget.

The satellite will carry a special reflective film and small engines to aim the light and avoid collisions Engadget. If the test works, Reflect Orbital plans to eventually build a large fleet of these mirrors—similar to SpaceX's Starlink network of internet satellites—that could beam sunlight on demand to anywhere on Earth Engadget.

Why Astronomers Are Upset

The astronomy community strongly opposed the approval. Astronomers worry that a bright satellite in space would ruin their observations of distant stars and galaxies. Unlike normal communications satellites, this one's job is to be bright—so there's no way to hide or filter out its light Engadget. Groups like the American Astronomical Society and DarkSky International warned that the satellite could also damage eyesight for people using large telescopes and cause temporary blindness for pilots and drivers Engadget.

The FCC's Decision

The FCC approved the satellite anyway. The agency said that light pollution and eye safety are not part of its job—it only decides who can use radio frequencies in space. Because the federal government wants companies to launch new technologies, the FCC granted the license Engadget.

Reflect Orbital promised to turn the satellite on only at certain times and to alert astronomers before using it. They also said they would avoid shining light near observatories Engadget.

The Real Problem

The bigger issue is that no one is really in charge of deciding whether something like this should exist. The FCC handles radio spectrum, the FAA oversees aircraft safety, and environmental agencies handle some pollution issues—but none of them were designed to think about whether a bright satellite in space is a good idea. If Earendil-1 works and Reflect Orbital builds more satellites, it could become a serious problem for astronomy and night skies. What happens next will probably depend on what astronomers learn from watching this first satellite, and possibly on lawsuits or new laws.