More than 100 scientists are urging the FCC to temporarily suspend new broadband satellite launches until the agency assesses the environmental effects of planned mega-constellations. They note the number of LEO satellites has increased 12 times in five years, led by SpaceX.
“The new space race is ramping up quickly: some experts are estimating an additional 58,000 satellites will be launched by 2030,” say the scientists, who come from the realms of astrophysics, aerospace engineering and astronomy, in a letter to the agency. “Other plans have been proposed to launch 500,000 satellites to create new mega-constellations that would power satellite internet.”
What’s unknown is the potential environmental harm of the launches and burn ups, because the federal government hasn’t conducted an environmental review. “What we do know is that more satellites and more launches lead to more damaging gasses and metals in our atmosphere. We shouldn’t rush forward with launching satellites at this scale without making sure the benefits justify the potential consequences of these new mega-constellations being launched, and then re-entering our atmosphere to burn up and or create debris,” they write. “This is a new frontier, and we should save ourselves a lot of trouble by making sure we move forward in a way that doesn’t cause major problems for our future.”
The scientists say the GAO has recommended such a review. They believe regulators should ask “if we really need multiple disposable constellations competing for the same limited space.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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