Story perspectives

FCC Approves Space Mirror Test Amid 1,800 Public Concerns

7/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

The FCC granted a license for Reflect Orbital’s Earendil-1 space-mirror test despite over 1,800 public comments raising astronomical and environmental concerns, and said optical-astronomy worries are outside its authority.
The 18-meter reflector will deploy at about 625 km altitude and project a five-kilometer sunlight beam for a few minutes each pass.
CEO Ben Nowack said the demo will test search-and-rescue lighting, extended daylight for construction and increased solar-farm output.

History

Historical Context

The idea of beaming solar energy from orbit began with Peter Glaser’s 1968 patent and a joint NASA-DOE study from 1978-86 that spent $50 million evaluating gigawatt geosynchronous satellites. NASA revived the concept in its 1999 SERT program, and today Reflect Orbital’s 2024 Earendil-1 18-meter mirror at 625 km has secured an FCC license despite 1,800 public objections, reigniting the decades-old space-based power debate.

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Story summary

The FCC granted a license for Reflect Orbital’s Earendil-1 space-mirror test despite over 1,800 public comments raising astronomical and environmental concerns, and said optical-astronomy worries are outside its authority.
The 18-meter reflector will deploy at about 625 km altitude and project a five-kilometer sunlight beam for a few minutes each pass.
CEO Ben Nowack said the demo will test search-and-rescue lighting, extended daylight for construction and increased solar-farm output.

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