Astronomers are deeply worried that a planned array of 50,000 mirror-bearing satellites in orbit will severely compromise telescopes.

Approval of test satellite that reflects sunlight to Earth, promises extra solar energy but raises concerns about safety, environmental impact, and disruption of natural rhythms

The FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch the mirror satellite Eärendil-1. “For optical astronomy, this poses an existential threat,” the European Southern Observatory said.