In-space services & exploration
Reflect Orbital
Hawthorne space company developing orbital mirrors to redirect sunlight, with launch bookings and a contested demonstration-satellite approval.
- Orbital mirrors
- Satellite constellations
- Solar energy
- Space infrastructure
- Satellite launch
- Space industry
- International space
- Space companies
- Aerospace
- In-space services
- Space exploration
Reflect Orbital is a space technology company based in Hawthorne, California. It is developing satellites with mirrors intended to redirect sunlight to selected areas on Earth. The company markets potential applications in solar energy and lighting, while its public roadmap remains a development plan.
The company announced a purchase of dedicated launches from Skyroot Aerospace in October 2026. Payload reported the transaction and obtained a customer response. Reflect Orbital’s proposed mirror operations also face opposition: DarkSky International and allied organisations requested a review of the first satellite’s regulatory approval in August 2026.
Milestones
- 09 July 2026
Received Federal Communications Commission approval for radio operations of its Eärendil-1 demonstration satellite, SatNews reported.[5] - 06 August 2026
DarkSky International and allied organisations filed an application asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse approval of the Earendil-1 satellite.[4] - 14 October 2026
Announced purchase of two dedicated Skyroot launches, using Vikram-1 and the developing Vikram-1U; launch dates and prices were not disclosed.[2][3]
Sources
Reflect OrbitalReflect Orbitalreflectorbital.com
Reflect Orbital / PR NewswireReflect Orbital Purchases Two Skyroot Launchesprnewswire.com
PayloadReflect Orbital Buys Two Skyroot Aerospace Launchespayloadspace.com
DarkSky InternationalDarkSky and allies ask the FCC to reverse its approval of the Reflect Orbital space mirrordarksky.org
SatNewsFCC Authorizes Radio Operations for Reflect Orbital’s Light-Reflection Test Satellitesatnews.com
Reflect Orbital (FCC filing hosted by PEER)Consolidated Opposition and Response to Comments of Reflect Orbital Inc.peer.org
Coverage of Reflect Orbital
Industry
Reflect Orbital plans two dedicated missions on Skyroot rockets
The customer announced a Vikram-1 flight and a later mission on the developing Vikram-1U. Contract prices and launch dates remain undisclosed.
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