Controversial Reflect Orbital Satellite Gains FCC Approval
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has formally authorized the launch of Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite, a project that has drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists and astronomers alike. The 142-kilogram spacecraft, scheduled to launch later this year, is designed to deploy an 18-metre thin-film reflector in low Earth orbit. The objective is to test its ability to direct reflected sunlight to specific areas on Earth for several minutes at a time.
Reflect Orbital’s chief executive, Ben Nowack, expressed gratitude for the FCC’s recognition of novel technologies, stating that the license is a crucial first step toward rigorously testing their technology and safeguards. The company envisions applications ranging from illuminating construction sites and aiding search-and-rescue efforts to potentially boosting energy production at terrestrial solar farms.
However, the concept faces significant opposition. Environmental groups warn that a large constellation of such satellites, which Reflect Orbital has proposed could number in the thousands, might disrupt the diurnal cycles of plants and animals. Astronomers, including Tony Tyson, distinguished research professor at the University of California, Davis, and chief scientist of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, voiced concerns about interference with astronomical observations. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) noted that a full constellation of 50,000 satellites could increase background sky brightness at its facilities by a factor of three to four, severely limiting the ability of telescopes to detect faint objects.
Parabilis Advances Cubesat Propulsion with DOTS Hot-Fire Tests
In a significant development for small satellite capabilities, California-based Parabilis Space Technologies has announced the successful completion of hot-fire testing for its Dense Orbital Transfer System (DOTS). This 2U propulsion module, roughly the size of a household toaster, aims to provide cubesats with high thrust and rapid manoeuvre capabilities, addressing a key limitation of existing small satellite designs.
The DOTS system employs a hybrid engine that combines solid fuel with a liquid oxidizer, an innovative approach designed to leverage the storage advantages of solid propellants while maintaining the controllability and performance typically associated with liquid propulsion systems. The Space Systems Command described DOTS as a “novel application of heritage space propulsion technology” being evaluated for future military uses.
Currently, most cubesats lack the ability to move once in space, limiting their utility to single-purpose or short-duration missions. The enhanced maneuverability provided by DOTS would allow these small satellites to perform critical functions such as debris avoidance, formation flying, mission repositioning, and operation in very low Earth orbits for improved imaging and communications. Parabilis is now seeking partners for an orbital flight demonstration, with the company’s chief executive Enrico Attanasio stating they could be ready to fly within a year of securing a partner.
US Space Policy Shifts This Week Amidst Congressional Changes
The landscape of US space policy is undergoing shifts this week, influenced by changes in Congress and ongoing operational developments. The passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) on Saturday, July 12, is expected to have a significant impact on government funding legislation. Senator Graham chaired the influential Senate Budget Committee, a body instrumental in crafting reconciliation bills that include substantial funding for various programs, including defence and space-related initiatives.
Beyond the legislative sphere, the week also features ongoing discussions and events that shape the future of space. The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s space subcommittee is scheduled to hear from Taylor Jordan, Director of the Office of Space Commerce (OSC). Such hearings often provide insights into future regulatory frameworks and commercial space initiatives.
In orbit, the Soyuz MS-29 mission with NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian colleagues is preparing for its hatch opening on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. This event will welcome the crew to the International Space Station, where they will join the Expedition 74 crew, continuing international collaboration in human spaceflight.
Provider: SpaceX Date: July 14, 2026 Time: 1:16 AM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Starlink Group 10-45
Provider: SpaceX Date: July 14, 2026 Time: 7:15 AM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Soyuz MS-29
Provider: Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Date: July 14, 2026 Time: 2:47 PM UTC Vehicle: Soyuz 2.1a
Soyuz MS-29 will carry three cosmonauts and one astronaut to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The crew consists of Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, as well as NASA astronaut Anil Menon.
SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer E
Provider: SpaceX Date: July 16, 2026 Time: 8:22 PM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
Tranche 1 Transport Layer E is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites.
The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance.
Flight 13
Provider: SpaceX Date: July 16, 2026 Time: 10:45 PM UTC Vehicle: Starship
13th test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. Second flight of Starship V3.
For the first time, Starship will carry 20 V3 Starlink satellites to space, which will extend solar arrays and antennas and will attempt to connect with ground stations in South Africa and the larger Starlink constellation via high-capacity lasers.
6 of the satellites have been modified with a suite of cameras to scan Starship’s heat shield and transmit imagery down to operators to continue testing methods of analyzing Starship’s heat shield readiness for return to launch site on future missions. Several tiles on Starship have been painted white to simulate missing tiles and serve as imaging targets in the test.
Starlink Group 15-14 ×
Mission Details
TypeCommunications
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
TargetEarth
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
The Falcon 9 first stage B1080 will land on ASDS ASOG after its 28th flight.
Soyuz MS-29 ×
Mission Details
TypeHuman Exploration
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
TargetEarth
Soyuz MS-29 will carry three cosmonauts and one astronaut to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The crew consists of Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, as well as NASA astronaut Anil Menon.
Agencies Involved
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Government)
• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) (Government)
Program: International Space Station
The International Space Station programme is tied together by a complex set of legal, political and financial agreements between the sixteen nations involved in the project, governing ownership of the various components, rights to crewing and utilization, and responsibilities for crew rotation and resupply of the International Space Station. It was conceived in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan, during the Space Station Freedom project as it was originally called.
The Soyuz programme is a human spaceflight programme initiated by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s. The Soyuz spacecraft was originally part of a Moon landing project intended to put a Soviet cosmonaut on the Moon. It was the third Soviet human spaceflight programme after the Vostok and Voskhod programmes.
The Soyuz 2.1A converted the flight control system from analog to digital, which allowed launch from fixed platforms. It also allowed big fairings and payloads.
It is currently used for crewed Soyuz and Progress flights to the ISS.
Soyuz MS is the final planned upgrade of the Soyuz spacecraft.
Major changes include:
– more efficient solar panels
– modified engine positions for redundancy
– new Kurs NA approach and docking system
– new TsVM-101 computer
– unified digital command/telemetry system (MBITS) to relay telemetry via satellite, and control spacecraft when out of sight of ground stations
– GLONASS/GPS and Cospas-Sarsat satellite systems for more accurate location afterlanding
Capability
Manned and Cargo ISS Logistics, Lifeboat
Details
Soyuz is a series of spacecraft designed for the Soviet space programme by the Korolyov Design Bureau (now RKK Energia) in the 1960s that remains in service today. The Soyuz succeeded the Voskhod spacecraft and was originally built as part of the Soviet Manned Lunar programme. The Soyuz spacecraft is launched on a Soyuz rocket, the most frequently used and most reliable launch vehicle in the…
Flight Life
210 days while docked
Manufacturer: Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) (RFSA)
RFSA • Russian • Age: 48 • Time in space: 355 Days, 3 Hours, 45 Minutes • EVA time: 1 Day, 5 Hours, 49 Minutes
Born: Jan 30, 1978 • First Flight: Apr 9, 2021 • Last Flight: Apr 9, 2021
Dubrov was selected by Roscosmos as a cosmonaut on 8 October 2012, as one of eight cosmonauts selected as part of Roscosmos’s 2012 selection group. In 2020 he was assigned to the backup crew of Soyuz MS-17, backing up Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov as Flight Engineer on ISS Expedition 63/64
Anil Menon is a US Air Force lieutenant colonel from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, helping to launch the company’s first humans to space during NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission and building a medical organization to support the human system during future missions.
Tranche 1 Transport Layer E is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites.
The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance.
Agencies Involved
• Space Development Agency (Government)
Launch Provider: SpaceX
Commercial • United States of America • Founded 2002
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
The Falcon 9 first stage will land on ASDS OCISLY after its flight.
Flight 13 ×
Mission Details
TypeTest Flight
OrbitSuborbital
TargetEarth
13th test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. Second flight of Starship V3.
For the first time, Starship will carry 20 V3 Starlink satellites to space, which will extend solar arrays and antennas and will attempt to connect with ground stations in South Africa and the larger Starlink constellation via high-capacity lasers.
6 of the satellites have been modified with a suite of cameras to scan Starship’s heat shield and transmit imagery down to operators to continue testing methods of analyzing Starship’s heat shield readiness for return to launch site on future missions. Several tiles on Starship have been painted white to simulate missing tiles and serve as imaging targets in the test.
The SpaceX Starship is a fully reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by SpaceX since 2012, as a self-funded private spaceflight project. The second stage of the Starship — is designed as a long-duration cargo and passenger-carrying spacecraft. It is expected to be initially used without any booster stage at all, as part of an extensive development program to prove out launch-and-landing and iterate on a variety of design details, particularly with respect to the vehicle’s atmospheric reentry.
The second launch and landing pad of the full version of the combined SpaceX Starship and Superheavy booster. To be first used for launch in 2025 with version 3 of Starship and the Superheavy…
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