Space/Atmosphere Environment

The FCC has not been considering the potential harm done to Earth's atmosphere due to deorbited satellite debris, in licence applications since 1986.

From The Register (news site)

One hundred and twenty astronomy researchers on Thursday sent a letter asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to end the "absurd" environmental review exemption given to SpaceX's Starlink and other firms launching large constellations of satellites.

[...] Sierra Solter-Hunt, a physicist with aerospace consultancy Astroplane [...] suggests this could alter the environment of Earth to the detriment of human health.

"It is known that man-made chemicals can endanger the atmosphere, and the mega-constellations are not just depositing dangerous chemicals, they are depositing huge masses of conductive material."

Read full article:
theregister.com/2024/10/24/sci…

#space
#megaconstellations

Scientists demand FCC test environmental impacts of satellites

Boffins say it's absurd that the US comms watchdog won't consider atmospheric harms

^{Thomas Claburn (The Register)}