A Southern California-based company just received approval to test a space mirror. Last Thursday, the FCC issued a license to Reflect Orbital, an energy company based in Hawthorne. The mirror would reflect sunlight to the dark parts of Earth. The license allows the company to launch a satellite using certain frequencies for telemetry, tracking, and command, and data downlink to support deployment and testing of a solar reflector. Reflect Orbital is only allowed to deploy one satellite at a time. Several entities argued against the approval of the license for reasons including radio frequency interference and space debris mitigation. That includes astronomers and wildlife experts, who warn the reflected light could “distract airplane pilots, wreak havoc on astronomical observations and interfere with circadian rhythms.” The FCC says there is a minimal risk of harm to society.
