U.S. Approves First Space-Mirror Satellite Amid Low-Earth-Orbit AI Data Center Boom

As global demand for green energy and AI computing surges, aerospace technology is opening a new commercial frontier. Startup Reflect Orbital has proposed using satellite mirrors to direct sunlight toward solar power plants on Earth, while companies led by SpaceX are aggressively pursuing AI data centers in low Earth orbit. The shift could help ease terrestrial constraints on energy and computing capacity, but concerns about light pollution and orbital safety have also made it a focus of environmental scrutiny.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission formally approved Reflect Orbital’s launch of its first commercial space-mirror satellite, Earendil-1, in July 2026. At the same time, aerospace giants including SpaceX have applied to the FCC to launch more than 1 million low-Earth-orbit satellites in total to build space-based AI data centers. The boom has prompted serious concern among astronomers and environmental groups, which fear severe light pollution and overcrowding in orbit.