As our country’s relationship with space rapidly changes, PEER is tracking the possible environmental impacts of a rapidly growing number of satellites orbiting the Earth.
Recently, PEER commented on SpaceX’s proposal to launch up to a million satellites into space, and on Reflect Orbital’s proposal to launch a prototype satellite with a mirror that would reflect sunlight back to earth at night, illuminating areas up to 5 km wide.
SpaceX’s proposal would result in the deployment of a vast network of AI data centers directly into Earth’s orbit. If implemented, this proposal would result in thousands of additional space launches each year, considerable changes to the night sky, and a significant increase in the number of satellites reentering the Earth’s atmosphere.
Reflect Orbitals seeks to develop a satellite system that would allow it to sell “on-demand” daylight to companies on Earth.
PEER, working closely with Dark Sky International, is asking the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a formal environmental review of these proposals, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and other laws, before approving these plans.
Off we go!
Sincerely,
Tim Whitehouse
Executive Director
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