#reflect-orbital — Public Fediverse posts

@sundogplanets You could spend millions putting bumper car mirrors in orbit chasing 12 seconds of light, or you could put a solar panel in your garden and wait for morning. #reflectorbital

A #startup called #ReflectOrbital wants to launch thousands of mirror-bearing #satellites to reflect sunlight onto Earth at night and "power #solarfarms after sunset, provide lighting for rescue workers and illuminate city streets, among other things"
The company is seeking #FCC approval to test an idea to reflect sunlight to Earth at night, possibly powering #solar panels. Critics say it could be bad for people and wildlife.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/climate/space-mirror-satellite-solar.html
https://archive.ph/NrtU4

Nee, godverdegodver!

https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2608321-kritiek-op-plan-om-aarde-vanuit-ruimte-met-spiegels-te-verlichten

#ReflectOrbital #sterrenhemel #sterren #lichtvervuiling

English blogpost about satellites and light pollution (written in 2024, Since then, the prospects for the future have worsened again):

https://silberspur.de/blogs/read/10

DarkSky International:
https://darksky.org/

#Alan #Astronomy #KesslerSyndrome #Satellites #ReflectOrbital #SpaceX #DarkSkyInternational #Science

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Der Nachthimmel sollte als #Gemeingut der Menschheit angesehen und entsprechend behandelt werden. Lesenswerter Text in der FR:

https://www.fr.de/wissen/wir-stehen-davor-die-nacht-zum-tag-zu-machen-ist-das-klug-zr-94240077.html

Ich habe dazu vor einiger Zeit gebloggt:

https://scilogs.spektrum.de/natur-des-glaubens/der-nachthimmel-als-gemeingut-ein-gastblogpost-von-peter-gutsche/

DarkSky International:
https://darksky.org/

@BlumeEvolution

#Lichtverschutzung #Nachthimmel #Satelliten #ReflectOrbital #SpaceX #Astronomie #Sternenhimmel #Umweltschutz #Wissenschaft #DarkSkyInternational #Nachhaltigkeit #FrankfurterRundschau

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Privatisation orbitale : fin de la liberté d’observer le ciel

Les satellites miroirs comme Reflect Orbital menacent de privatiser la lumière céleste, rendant l’observation astronomique impossible pour tous. Privatisation lumineuse orbitale = fin de l’accès libre au ciel. Satellites miroirs (Reflect Orbital) éclairent Terre pour pub/énergie, mais éblouissent définitivement astronomes amateurs. Le cosmos n’appartient plus à l’humanité. #ReflectOrbital #FCC #Astronomie…

https://homohortus31.wordpress.com/2026/03/29/privatisation-orbitale-fin-de-la-liberte-dobserver-le-ciel/

https://www.astronomy.com/science/new-satellite-constellations-could-ruin-the-night-sky-astronomers-warn/

#elonmusk
#nobillionaires
#elonmuskchildrapist
#elonmuskisanazi
#reflectorbital

CSE's John Barentine: "The presumption now is that the application should be approved and that it should be up to the people who might object to prove that there's a problem of some kind. The fact that they have fast-tracked this application, which has potentially tremendous effects not only for astronomy but for the environment too, and to do so without engaging in a full environmental review, is worrisome."

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/this-is-really-intolerable-astronomers-protest-giant-orbiting-mirror-project-and-spacexs-million-ai-satellites

#Space #Satellites #SpaceX #ReflectOrbital #FCC

"'These proposals would not only have a disastrous impact on the science of #astronomy, they would also hinder the right of everybody on Earth to enjoy the night sky. That is unacceptable.

"The stars above us are a valued part of human heritage – deploying more than one million exceptionally bright #satellites would utterly destroy this and permanently scar the natural landscape.'"

https://www.itv.com/news/2026-03-17/astronomers-alarmed-by-plans-to-use-space-mirrors-to-light-earth-at-night

#Space #SpaceX #ReflectOrbital #SunlightAsAService

"A start-up company wants to light up the night with 50,000 big mirrors orbiting Earth. Opponents say the mirrors could distract airplane pilots, mess up astronomical observations and interfere with circadian rhythms — the light-and-dark cycles that help people, creatures and plants know when to wake and sleep, when to bloom, when to migrate and so forth."

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/climate/space-mirror-satellite-solar.html

#Space #Environment #ReflectOrbital #SunlightAsAService

RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/116053742685475452

I submitted my comments against the Reflect Orbital and SpaceX plans! It always takes a little while to write letters, but the instructions for submitting are very good (and needed). It's terrible to think about losing the night sky. It felt good to do something about it.

#reflectOrbital
#spaceX
#orbitalDataCenter

@badastro I’m so tired of making fun of the nonexistent brilliance Elon has built his whole personal brand around, so i’ll skip to the ask (for 🇺🇸️ans):

👉️ TODAY is the last day ‼️ to submit a public comment to the #FCC about spacex’s megaconstellation.

👉️ MONDAY is the last day to comment on the #ReflectOrbital filing.

The SciAm article has links and instructions. The more of us who speak up, the harder it is to ignore.

URGENT: Please Write the FCC to Oppose Latest SpaceX World-Changing Plan, Massively Light Polluting Reflect Orbital Satellites, Which Will End the Night Sky

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/03/urgent-please-write-the-fcc-to-oppose-latest-spacex-world-changing-plan-massively-light-polluting-reflect-orbital-satellites-which-will-end-the-night-sky.html

#Musk #ElonMusk #SpaceX #FCC #ReflectOrbital #satellite #satellites

URGENT:⚠️ Please Write the #FCC to #Oppose Latest #SpaceX World-Changing Plan, Massively Light Polluting #ReflectOrbital Satellites, Which Will End the Night Sky
"Reflect Orbit #satellites will produce a simply incredible level of light #pollution to the degree tt it will end te night as we know it. Te impact on life, not just nocturnal species but even plant life, can't be est'd & is potentially #catastrophic."
#CancelMusk #citizenaction
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/03/urgent-please-write-the-fcc-to-oppose-latest-spacex-world-changing-plan-massively-light-polluting-reflect-orbital-satellites-which-will-end-the-night-sky.html

From @esoastronomy's comment to the U.S. Federal Communication Commission on the #ReflectOrbital filing for clearance to operate an orbital sunlight reflector: “ESO expresses support for the submissions to the FCC by the global astronomical community and emphasises that the deployment of sunlight as a service will have far reaching implications to the #environment, and human health.”

#Astronomy #SunlightAsAService #Space #Satellites

"Across regions and borders, cultures and customs, the one thing we share is the night sky. Access to the night sky is a crucial part of our scientific, religious, and cultural practices across the globe. Right now, one government agency has the power to completely alter the night sky as we know it."

https://astrobites.org/2026/02/26/reflect-orbital-ai-data-center/

#Space #SpaceEnvironment #FCC #ReflectOrbital #SunlightAsAService #SpaceX #DataCenters

"Two little-noted applications under review by the Federal Communications Commission would, if fully implemented, fundamentally remake the night sky. But the #FCC, the satellite regulator, appears to have fast-tracked approval without much of a pause to weigh the benefits of these proposals against the harms they could cause to life on the planet."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/02/27/satellites-light-pollution-spacex/

#Space #SpaceEnvironment #ReflectOrbital #SunlightAsAService #DataCenters

"In the United States, it is up to the Federal Communications Commission to authorize satellite launches and operations. The agency is now looking at two proposals that could massively affect the night sky. One is mirrors in space that would reflect sunlight on demand during the night. The other, from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is an unprecedented request for a 1-million-satellite megaconstellation." (by @DrCarpineti for @iflscience)

https://www.iflscience.com/elon-musk-wants-to-put-1-million-satellites-into-space-the-fcc-is-asking-for-opinions-82682

#Space #Satellites #ReflectOrbital #SpaceX

Let's stop the sick ideas of #reflectorbital as soon as possible. Block ALL companies and persons related to the company that has the arrogance to think it can pollute the earth with their ideas. Below is a list of their employees. Now you know who you should never hire and should remove from your personal circle.

The company is financed by at least Sequoia, Starship Ventures and Lux Capital.

More info on https://darksky.org/news/two-satellite-proposals-threaten-the-night-sky-the-window-to-act-is-now/

Ben Nowack - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nowack/

Tristan Semmelhack - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristan-semmelhack-6a1ba0149/

Ally Stone - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-stone-degunther-44ab61111/

Charlie Garcia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliegarcia/

Emily Bilbao - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-bilbao/

Robert Salazar - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertasalazar/

Toshan James - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toshanajames/

Rex Serpe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rex-serpe-898480187/

Alexa Greer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-enlow/

Katie Zhang - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-zhang-31a67a109/

German Acosta Quiros - https://www.linkedin.com/in/germanacostaquiros/

Rakhee Khambhati - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakheekhambhati/

Lauren Herring - https://www.linkedin.com/in/slherring/

Patrick Finley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickfinley/

Griffin Jourda - https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffin-jourda-b07073197/

Mani Bhuma - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mani-bhuma-a0677b141/

Jonivan Artates - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonivan-artates/

Enna van den Akker - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ennavandenakker/

Alessandro Verniani - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandroverniani/

David Barbeau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barbeau-assoc-aia-107812246/

Noah Chalfant - https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-chalfant/

Niko Natsoulas - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasnatsoulas/

Alfonso Lagares De Toledo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alagaresdetoledo/

Matt Bigga - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthieubb/

Alec Bohnett - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecbohnett/

Cameron Bond - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-bond-a553135a/

Ronald Trang - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-trang/

Harbin Singh - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harbinsingh/

Nick Fan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-fan-025814221/

Brett Frager - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettmfrager/

Julian Hernandez - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianconanhernandez/

Miguel Lopez - https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-lopez-435419130/

Talon-Jai Clearwater - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-smith-a376ba143/

Caitríona Hanly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitriona-hanly/

Erika Nakayama - https://www.linkedin.com/in/enakayama/

Camille Papa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-p-b97431160/

When I read or hear anything about Reflect Orbital, I can't help but think of the part of episode 8, series 8, of Rick & Morty, where Rick turns the Moon into a disco ball for Morty's graduation...

#RickAndMorty #ReflectOrbital #PlanetaryDestruction

DarkSky International has issued a public position on Reflect Orbital (and 'Sunlight As A Service' more generally): "Given the documented risks, DarkSky opposes Reflect Orbital’s proposed project as currently conceived. Consistent with our position on satellite mega-constellations, we urge the #FCC to close longstanding regulatory gaps that allow satellite deployments to proceed without environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (#NEPA)."

It encourages sign-ons to its open letter to Reflect Orbital and its investors: https://darksky.org/news/organizational-statement-reflect-orbital/

#LightPollution #Space #SunlightAsAService #ReflectOrbital

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has sent Reflect Orbital a list of issues in their application that require a response by 5th January. The potential visual effects of their sunlight reflectors are partially addressed by this footnote in the FCC letter: "Please describe what steps Reflect Orbital has taken to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense/Air Force to mitigate impacts on commercial and military aircraft operations, including potential impacts to aircraft pilots’ vision at night, from reflected sunlight directed at the Earth’s surface."

https://fccprod.servicenowservices.com/ibfs?id=ibfs_application_summary&number=SAT-LOA-20250701-00129

#Space #ReflectOrbital #SunlightAsAService

#Sunlight ☀️ on-demand : #ReflectOrbital has applied for a government license to launch an 18 by 18 meters mirror 🪩 to space next year. The company plans to operate a constellation of more than 4,000 #solar reflectors by 📆 2030 https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/this-companys-plan-to-launch-4-000-massive-space-mirrors-has-scientists-alarmed-from-an-astronomical-perspective-thats-pretty-catastrophic

@royalastrosoc and #Astronomers aren't amused

#Sonnenergie gilt als klimafreundlich, und man denkt immer auch an #Solarpunk dabei, an energetische Selbstermächtigung in einem kapitalistisch geprägten Energiemarkt. Doch auch der Kapitalismus hat die Sonnenenergie mittlerweile für sich entdeckt, und zwar jenseits von Greenwashing. Was der Kapitalismus allerdings gar nicht mag, sind Pausen. Und Sonnenenergie macht leider Nacht für Nacht stundenlang Pause, eben solange es dunkel draußen ist. Das geht so einfach nicht. Also hat der Kapitalismus etwas ersonnen, das sich "Reflect Orbital" nennt. Per Satellit ins All beförderte Reflektoren, die nachts Sonnenlicht auf die Erde lenken. Damit kann man ein paar Hektar Erdoberfläche nachts taghell bekommen. Ideal, um Sonnenkollektor-Plantagen zu bescheinen. Und weil es der Kapitalismus ist, werden natürlich auch andere Einsatzmöglichkeiten mit bedacht, etwa der Segen fürs Militär. Nächstes Jahr soll es losgehen.
#Lichtverschmutzung #ReflectOrbital
https://www.heise.de/news/Astronomen-alarmiert-US-Satelliten-sollen-Sonnenlicht-zur-Erde-reflektieren-10749257.html

Thanks to TerezaPultarova and @spacedotcom for focusing on our concerns about the possible impact of Reflect Orbital's planned activities on #astronomy.

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/this-companys-plan-to-launch-4-000-massive-space-mirrors-has-scientists-alarmed-from-an-astronomical-perspective-thats-pretty-catastrophic

#Space #Satellites #SunlightAsAService #ReflectOrbital