California Startup Wants to Launch 4,000 Mirrors to Orbit. Scientists Are Alarmed

A California startup’s plan to launch thousands of mirrors into orbit has caused quite a stir among astronomers and wildlife experts. The company, Reflect Orbital, aims to maximize energy output from solar farms by redirecting sunlight toward them at night.

Reflect Orbital recently applied for a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license to launch a demonstration satellite called EARENDIL-1 in April 2026. Once in orbit, the satellite will unfold a 3,600-square-foot (334-square-meter)…