Astronomers Urge FCC to Research Impacts of Space Junk

Organized by a public interest group, 120 researchers have expressed concern about the number of satellites in low Earth orbit.

Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 11:52 AM ET

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A SpaceX rocket carrying Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit launches May 14, 2022. [Credit: Charles Boyer (Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)]

Key Takeaways:

Astronomers and researchers have urged the FCC to halt further satellite mega-constellation launches, like Starlink, and investigate their potential environmental and health impacts.
Key concerns include atmospheric pollution from thousands of tons of metals burning up when satellites re-enter, which could deplete the ozone layer, and light pollution affecting astronomical observations and animal behavior.
Critics highlight that the FCC currently exempts these large satellite constellations from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), a practice they are calling for the FCC to end.

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Citing environmental concerns, 120 astronomers and researchers implored the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in an October 24 letter to halt launches of internet satellites like SpaceX’s Starlink.

The letter, which was organized by the Public Interest Research Group, also urged FCC Space Bureau Chief Julie Kearney to investigate the potential negative environmental and health impacts of the vast projected increase in satellites being disposed of in the atmosphere.