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 implored the FCC to halt internet satellite launches and investigate the potential negative environmental and health impacts of rapidly increasing satellite mega-constellations.
Primary environmental concerns include the deposition of thousands of tons of metals and compounds into the atmosphere annually from deorbiting satellites, which could deplete the ozone layer, alongside existing issues like light pollution.
The Public Interest Research Group and researchers are urging the FCC to end its practice of exempting large satellite constellations from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).

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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.