美国联邦通信委员会（FCC）已授权 Reflect Orbital 公司在低地球轨道发射并运营名为 Eärendil-1 的实验性反射镜卫星。该卫星配备18米反射镜，旨在夜间将阳光反射到地球特定区域，主要用于评估超薄反射膜技术的可行性，未来有望为太阳能发电厂、搜救行动或偏远基础设施提供「随选」阳光。

然而，这项计划引发了天文学家与环保倡议者的强烈批评，FCC 在审查期间收到了近两千条反对意见。反对者警告，即使是少量的太空反射镜也可能加剧光害，对天文观测、夜间生态系统及航空安全构成生存威胁，且该公司未来计划部署多达五万颗卫星，恐将彻底改变夜空的面貌。（关键数字：2,000, 50,000）

尽管面临强烈反对，FCC 仍决定批准此计划，并表示目前的申请仅限于单颗实验卫星而非商业星系，且光学天文学的担忧不在其审查范围内。Reflect Orbital 则承诺将与科学界和受影响的利害关系人合作，精确控制反射光，并根据实际影响的测量结果来调整未来的发展方向。

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized Reflect Orbital to launch and operate an experimental mirror satellite named Eärendil-1 in low Earth orbit. Equipped with an 18-meter reflector, the satellite aims to reflect sunlight onto specific areas on Earth at night to evaluate the viability of its ultrathin reflective film, potentially providing "on-demand" sunlight for solar farms, search and rescue operations, or remote infrastructure.

However, the project has sparked intense criticism from astronomers and environmental advocates, with the FCC receiving nearly 2,000 public comments questioning the proposal. Opponents warn that even a small number of space mirrors could exacerbate light pollution and pose an existential threat to astronomical observations, nocturnal ecosystems, and aviation safety, especially since the company envisions eventually deploying up to 50,000 satellites that could radically alter the night sky.

Despite these objections, the FCC approved the project, noting that the application is for a single experimental satellite rather than a commercial constellation, and stating that concerns regarding optical astronomy fall outside its regulatory scope. Reflect Orbital has pledged to collaborate with the scientific community and affected stakeholders, promising to precisely control the reflected light and adapt its future plans based on real-world impact measurements.