Eärendil-1
Prelims:
Science
& Technology, Space Technology
Mains:
GS
Paper III-Science & Technology, Environment, Internal Security / Disaster
Management
Current
relevance:
The U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) has authorised Reflect Orbital to launch Eärendil-1,
a test satellite equipped with a large deployable mirror designed to
reflect sunlight onto selected areas of the Earth during nighttime.
Highlights:
1. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC):
·
It
is an independent agency of the United States Government.
·
It
regulates communications by radio, television, satellite, cable, and other
communication technologies.
2.
Reflect
Orbital:
A
U.S.-based space technology company developing space-based reflective
systems to redirect sunlight for practical applications.
3. About Eärendil-1:
·
It
is a test satellite equipped with a deployable, highly reflective
thin-film mirror.
·
The
mirror is motorised and can be oriented to reflect sunlight toward
selected locations on Earth during nighttime.
·
The
satellite will operate in a Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO).
4.
Non-Geostationary
Orbit (NGSO):
an
orbit in which satellites do not remain fixed over one point on the
Earth's surface and includes Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO),
as well as other inclined and polar orbits.
5.
Applications:
·
The
technology can provide light during disaster relief and emergency
management operations.
·
It
can support humanitarian missions by providing temporary illumination in
affected areas.
·
It
can help extend the operating hours of solar panels by reflecting
sunlight after sunset.
·
Provide
temporary lighting for remote or inaccessible locations where
conventional lighting is unavailable.
Source: THE HINDU
-https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/us-regulator-green-lights-mission-to-launch-giant-mirror-to-orbit/article71213314.ece