Eärendil-1:
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorised a company named Reflect Orbital to launch and operate a test satellite Eärendil-1 designed to deploy a large mirror in orbit around the earth.
- Eärendil-1 is the first satellite planned by US startup Reflect Orbital.
- Its purpose is to reflect sunlight towards specific spots on the earth at nighttime.
- It is a single satellite in a non-geostationary orbit fit with a “deployable, highly specular thin-film reflector”.
- The reflector will be motorised and can be steered to different orientations.
- It is intended to use this technology to extend the usable hours for solar panels and provide light during “critical operations” like emergency or humanitarian missions.
- The satellite will operate at a LEO altitude between 600 kilometers and 650 kilometers.
- It makes clean, abundant energy available on demand and that its technology can help alleviate energy concerns, aid with disaster responses, fulfill industrial needs and boost agriculture.
