#saveastronomy
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christianbrandes.bsky.social
Mir wird schlecht. #fckads #freeoursky #saveastronomy #werbungistorganisierteunzufriedenheit
November 16, 2025 at 5:18 AM
desertlibrarian.bsky.social
This will be beyond terrible for astronomy around the world, not just for the US. And they don't care. Reflect Orbital can sail off into the sun, dammit.

#SaveScience #SaveAstronomy #NoToEarendil-1
faineg.com Faine Greenwood @faineg.com · Jul 14
I’m sure there will be no horrifying consequences as a result of the Trump regime authorizing the launch of ominously Tolkien-named satellites capable of illuminating 5 to 6 kilometer-wide swaths of the earth at night:

www.wired.com/story/reflec...
Equipped with an 18-meter reflector, Eärendil-1 could illuminate areas 5 to 6 kilometers in diameter for brief periods (the mirror satellite's name is a reference to a character from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series). The authorization allows the company to deploy the test satellite at an altitude of about 625 kilometers. Its primary objective is to evaluate the technical feasibility of its ultrathin, highly reflective, film-based reflector. "We're grateful to the FCC for granting our application to fly our test mission," the company said on social media. "This ruling is hugely validating for our company and reflects America's leadership in testing innovative space technology." The US startup argues that this highly controversial technology could have a variety of civilian, commercial, and government applications. These include providing illumination for search-and-rescue operations, supporting critical infrastructure during emergencies, extending productive hours for solar energy facilities, and temporarily lighting remote construction sites Eärendil-1 would be only the beginning. Reflect Orbital envisions operating 50,000 satellites by 2035. And that's just one company. If the initiative succeeds, it could give rise to an entirely new global industry-something that is already keeping many people awake, for now at least figuratively. "Imagine the sky filled with moons," says Tony Tyson, a researcher at UC Davis and chief scientist for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Tyson remains skeptical that these satellites will be able to direct reflected light with the precision the startup claims. During the regulatory review process, the FCC received nearly 2,000 public comments questioning the proposal. Among its leading critics were the American Astronomical Society, DarkSky International, and the Royal Astronomical Society. These organizations warn about the potential effects such satellites could have on astronomy, nocturnal ecosystems, and aviation safety. Opponents argue that ground-based observatories already have to contend with thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit that interfere with astronomical observations. Even a small number of space-based mirrors could increase light pollution and make observations more difficult, while a future large-scale satellite constellation would radically transform the appearance of the night sky. "For optical astronomy, this is an existential threat, and we hope that the regulators will share that view," said Betty Kioko, institutional affairs officer for the European Southern Observatory, in a statement ahead of the FCC decision. Some researchers have also raised concerns about possible flashes of reflected light that could affect aircraft pilots, drivers, or wildlife that depends on natural cycles of light and darkness.
July 14, 2026 at 9:24 PM
desertlibrarian.bsky.social
Well, shit. #SaveAstronomy
July 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM