Reflect Orbital

“Later this year, the US company Reflect Orbital plans to launch a test satellite called Eärendil-1 that will extend an 18-by-18-meter mirror in orbit.”

“The goal is to test the feasibility of the company’s plans to launch up to 50,000 larger satellites, measuring 54 by 54 meters, and reflect sunlight to Earth on demand.”

“In a filing with the FCC in March, the company said that observing Eärendil-1 with a telescope larger than 12 inches —which many astronomers have access to—may be unsafe for human eyes.”

“Reflect Orbital plans to launch a test satellite that will extend an 18-by-18-meter mirror in orbit. The goal is to eventually launch up to 50,000 larger satellites that can reflect sunlight to Earth…”

“The company aims to launch a prototype soon and expand to 50,000 satellites by 2035.”

“The satellite, called Eärendil-1, is 59 by 59 feet (18 by 18 meters) in size, and should be the first in a constellation of 50,000, if things were to go according to Reflect Orbital's plan.”

“Earlier this year, California-startup Reflect Orbital stated that it wants deploy up to 50,000 in-space mirrors mounted on satellites to create sunlight after dark.”