GoKawiilReflect Orbital tests ground-based sunlight-reflection system without notifying astronomers
Reflect Orbital, developer of a planned satellite system to reflect sunlight onto Earth at night, ran an unannounced ground test earlier this month near Lone Pine, California, using powerful spotlights on a mountainside to simulate the effect. The resulting light exceeded full-moon brightness, and local officials and county government say they were not informed beforehand, raising questions about what permissions, if any, were obtained.