Tell the FCC: Satellite mega-constellations need environmental review

We should look before we leap.

The number of large satellites in the lowest-level of low earth orbit has increased by 127 times and the overall number of large LEO satellites has increased 12 times in five years, led by SpaceX. At peak deployment of these disposable satellites, 29 tons of metal will re-enter our atmosphere per day. That’s almost like a car entering our skies every hour.

We’re in a short window of time when we can prevent making a mess of space and our atmosphere rather than spend decades cleaning it up. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should coordinate closely with regulators to require extensive environmental reviews for the new space age. The agency should:

1. Pause new satellite internet low earth orbit satellite launches until the Federal Communications Commission conducts environmental reviews for mega-constellations.
2. FCC should end the environmental categorical exclusion of satellites.

The new space race doesn’t need to create massive space waste.