Environmental Groups Urge FCC to Revoke 1-Satellite Earendil-1 Approval as 50,000-Satellite Plan Looms
Updated
Updated · PCMag · Aug 6
Environmental Groups Urge FCC to Revoke 1-Satellite Earendil-1 Approval as 50,000-Satellite Plan Looms
3 articles · Updated · PCMag · Aug 6
Summary
A coalition led by Earthjustice filed a 30-page petition asking the FCC to reverse last month’s approval of Reflect Orbital’s Earendil-1 mirror satellite, calling the decision unlawful.
The filing says the FCC made legal and factual errors by claiming it lacks authority over reflected light, even though the 60-by-60-foot mirror would cast a nighttime beam about 5 kilometers wide.
Environmental groups argue the satellite could worsen light pollution, disrupt wildlife, blind people, interfere with telescopes, and create aviation or driving hazards if sunlight is misdirected.
The FCC had approved only one satellite, saying commenters did not show specific harm from a single craft and that the project could advance U.S. space leadership despite roughly 1,800 public comments.
Reflect Orbital still aims to launch Earendil-1 later this year and says it is building safeguards and outside research, but Earthjustice said a lawsuit remains possible if the FCC refuses to reconsider.