FCC Licenses Sunlight-Reflecting Satellite Despite Regulatory Blindspot

The FCC approved Reflect Orbital's Earendil-1, a satellite that bounces sunlight to Earth, citing spectrum jurisdiction alone. No federal agency holds explicit authority over orbital reflectivity. Astronomers flagged risks: ground-based telescope damage and potential eye hazard. Environmental and scientific impacts remain unregulated. The approval exposes a governance gap in space operations.