from the first-do-no-harm dept Last June scientists warned that low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites constantly burning up in orbit could release chemicals that could undermine the progress we’ve made repairing the ozone layer.
Researchers at USC noted that at peak, 1,005 U.S. tons of aluminum will fall to Earth, releasing 397 U.S. tons of aluminum oxides per year to the atmosphere, an increase of 646% over natural levels.
Numerous companies, most notably Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, are working on launching tens of thousands of small LEO satellites in the coming years.
These concerns are on top of additional complaints that the light pollution created by these LEO satellites are significantly harming astronomical research in a way that can never be fully mitigated.
It’s a major reason why the Biden FCC retracted a wasteful billion-dollar Trump handout to Starlink, something that made MAGA cry.
the first-do-no-harm department.
Scientists issued a warning in June of last year about the possibility that chemicals released by low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites burning up continuously in orbit would jeopardize our progress in repairing the ozone layer. According to USC researchers, at its height, 1,005 U. s. 397 U.S. tons of aluminum will fall to Earth. s. tons of aluminum oxides annually into the atmosphere, which is 646 percent more than what is naturally present.
In the upcoming years, a number of businesses—including Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin—are planning to launch tens of thousands of tiny low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. A recent study by U. S. PIRG notes that 29 tons of satellites will re-enter our atmosphere every day at its peak due to the disposable nature of these satellites, adding to worries that these launches haven’t been considered environmentally.
In an effort to reduce “space junk,” the FCC finally released regulations requiring satellites to be taken out of orbit within five years, after years of delays. However, the group points out that regulators who were afraid of innovation gave the environmental effects of so many tiny satellites continuously exploding in orbit very little, if any, consideration.
“Without a thorough evaluation, we shouldn’t hastily introduce an unproven and poorly studied technology into unfamiliar settings. With over 6,000 units launched in just five years, Starlink now accounts for over 60% of all satellites in operation. The new space race began before governments had a chance to intervene. “.
The report also highlights the significant pollution risk posed by the consistent launches, stating that they release an annual amount of soot into the atmosphere that is equivalent to 7 million diesel dump trucks traveling the world. “Space X has always disregarded environmental laws; in fact, authorities in permissive Texas have begun to take issue with the company for dumping large amounts of pollutants into adjacent bodies of water.
These worries come on top of other grievances that the light pollution these low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are causing is seriously impairing astronomical research in a way that is never going to be completely reversed. Furthermore, Musk’s Starlink is primarily to blame for the current issues. Over time, Bezos and other businesses intend to launch hundreds of thousands more satellites.
However, even though Starlink is fantastic for global battlefields, vacation homes, boats, and recreational vehicles, it doesn’t actually address the main issue in the U.S. s. Cost-effective broadband available now. It can’t effectively stimulate competition at the scale required to lower rates, and as its user base increases, more and more drastic network management techniques will be needed to maintain usability.
Therefore, although these LEO services are a useful niche solution to close the gaps, they have some fairly significant drawbacks. Generally speaking, it makes more sense from an economic and environmental standpoint to prioritize the deployment of fiber, and then use 5G and fixed wireless to close the remaining gaps. It plays a significant role in the Biden FCC’s decision to withdraw a lavish billion-dollar Trump grant to Starlink, which caused MAGA to cry.
