EARENDIL-1 Passes
Over Mumbai
Predicted pass geometry, viewing conditions, and beam footprint data for Mumbai when EARENDIL-1 — the first commercial orbital mirror — launches in mid-2026. At 19.1°N, EARENDIL-1 passes reach up to 48° elevation — moderate but clearly visible.
What to Expect in Mumbai
What EARENDIL-1 Will Look Like from Mumbai
From Mumbai, EARENDIL-1 passes will appear as a fast-moving point of light crossing the sky in approximately 3–4 minutes. At peak brightness it will reach magnitude ~−4 — comparable to Venus at maximum and clearly visible even from the light-polluted city centre. It will be one of the brightest objects in the sky during a pass.
The mirror is steerable — between targeted commercial passes, Reflect Orbital tilts it away from Earth, making it much dimmer or invisible. During an active commercial pass you'll see a sudden brightening as the beam angle locks onto the target region. The pass ends abruptly when the mirror tilts away again.
Unlike a steady satellite, EARENDIL-1 may show subtle brightness variations as the mirror adjusts its aim. Watch for a brief period of maximum brightness near the peak of the pass when the geometry is optimal — this is when the 5km ground footprint is directly beneath the mirror at closest approach.
Track EARENDIL-1 from Mumbai at Launch
OrbitalNodes.ai will provide real-time pass predictions for Mumbai from the moment EARENDIL-1's orbital data is published. No app download required — runs entirely in your browser with GPS-accurate directions.
◈ OPEN ORBITALNODES.AISpace Mirror Questions — Mumbai
How bright will EARENDIL-1 appear from Mumbai?
At peak overhead passes, EARENDIL-1 is designed to reach magnitude ~−4 — comparable to Venus at maximum brightness and clearly visible from anywhere in Mumbai regardless of light pollution. This makes it one of the most conspicuous objects in the sky during a pass. Between commercial illumination passes, Reflect Orbital will tilt the mirror away from Earth, reducing brightness significantly.
How high will EARENDIL-1 appear from Mumbai?
From 19.1°N, EARENDIL-1 passes reach up to 48° elevation — moderate but clearly visible. Mumbai's large population means a single overhead pass could be seen by millions of people simultaneously. The exact elevation varies pass by pass depending on the orbital geometry. Higher elevation passes give a longer viewing window and brighter appearance as the mirror is closer to the observer.
When is the best time to see it from Mumbai?
November through May (dry season). Mumbai's monsoon is the defining seasonal factor. Post-monsoon October is spectacular — washed clean air and warm evenings. The pre-monsoon heat of April–May is uncomfortable but still produces clear nights. The monsoon (June–September) makes viewing nearly impossible with persistent cloud cover, so plan around the dry season for reliable pass visibility.
Will the beam footprint hit Mumbai?
Mumbai's extraordinary population density — 20,000 people per square kilometre in some areas — means a single 5km beam footprint pass could be simultaneously observed by hundreds of thousands of people. No city in the world would produce more witnesses to a single pass. Whether any specific location falls in the footprint depends on Reflect Orbital's commercial contracts and targeting decisions. The beam is steerable so it can be directed to specific cities or regions for commercial lighting purposes.
Is EARENDIL-1 visible yet?
No — EARENDIL-1 has not launched yet. Reflect Orbital is targeting a mid-2026 launch. There is currently no space mirror in Earth orbit. OrbitalSolar.ai will update with live pass data from the moment orbital elements are published after launch. Check the mission tracker for current launch status.
How many people could see EARENDIL-1 simultaneously from Mumbai?
Mumbai's metropolitan area has over 20 million residents. The mirror at magnitude −4 is visible from anywhere with a clear view of the relevant sky sector — meaning potentially 10–15 million people could observe a single overhead pass simultaneously with no equipment needed. This is one of the highest simultaneous observer counts possible for any single satellite pass on Earth, making Mumbai an obvious commercial and demonstration target for Reflect Orbital.
How does monsoon season completely block satellite viewing?
Mumbai's southwest monsoon (June–September) delivers over 2,400mm of rainfall and near-total cloud cover for four consecutive months. Unlike most cities where cloud cover varies day to day, Mumbai's monsoon makes satellite viewing essentially impossible for the entire season — not just reduced, but zero. The return of dry season in October marks a dramatic improvement. November and December after the monsoon provide some of the clearest air of the year as rain has washed the atmosphere clean.
What are the best dark-sky locations for viewing from Mumbai?
Sanjay Gandhi National Park within Mumbai's city limits offers surprisingly dark pockets with limiting magnitude around 3–4. Matheran (80km east by mountain railway — no cars allowed) provides quiet, darker skies at magnitude 4.5. Karjat (80km east by road) and Bhandardara (165km northeast) both offer magnitude 5–5.5 skies popular with Mumbai's astronomy community. The mirror itself at magnitude −4 needs no dark sky — but the beam footprint illumination effect is far more dramatic from dark locations.
OrbitalNodes.ai tracks the ISS, Tiangong, Hubble, and all satellites over Mumbai in real time — including exact pass times, directions, and brightness predictions.
→ SATELLITES OVER MUMBAI — ORBITALNODES.AI