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US Approves Gigantic Satellite Mirror That Will Illuminate the Earth at Night
PetaPixel • • science
Key Points:
- The U.S. government has approved Reflect Orbital's plan to launch Eärendil-1, a satellite equipped with a large mirror to reflect sunlight and illuminate areas on Earth at night.
- Eärendil-1 will orbit about 400 miles above Earth and use a 60-foot-wide mirror to light up a three-mile-wide area, with usage costing $5,000 per hour under a 1,000-hour annual commitment.
- Astronomers and scientists express concern that such satellites could disrupt dark skies essential for research and significantly alter natural night-time light conditions globally.
- Reflect Orbital aims to deploy up to 1,000 larger satellites capable of reflecting light equivalent to 100 full Moons, raising further environmental and ecological concerns.
- Biologists warn that widespread artificial night illumination could disturb circadian rhythms, animal migration, plant cycles, and marine ecosystems, posing risks to biodiversity and human health.
