It aims to deploy around 1,000 larger satellites by 2028 before eventually expanding the constellation to as many as 50,000 satellites by 2035The United States has approved plans for what could become one of the most unusual space projects ever attempted — a satellite carrying a giant mirror designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth after dark.The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted California-based start-up Reflect Orbital permission to launch its first demonstration satellite, called Eärendil-1, into low Earth orbit later this year. If successful, the company hopes the technology could extend daylight for solar farms, provide emergency lighting during disasters and even illuminate construction sites and city streets at night.What is the plan?Reflect Orbital's prototyp