Musk’s Starlink launches spark calls from scientists for a federal review of environmental risks

A coalition of over 100 researchers is urging the federal government to halt new low-orbit satellite launches, including Musk’s Starlink, until environmental impacts are thoroughly studied.

Sarah Fortinsky reports for The Hill.

In short:

• Researchers wrote to the FCC, warning that low-orbit satellites could cause environmental harm, including atmospheric pollution from reentry burns.
• The letter highlights the lack of current regulatory review and the FCC’s "first-come, first-served" licensing, which prioritizes commercial over environmental considerations.
• They call for the FCC to end its satellite environmental review exemption and encourage international collaboration to manage orbital space.

Key quote:

“The environmental harms of launching and burning up so many satellites aren’t clear. That’s because the federal government hasn’t conducted an environmental review to understand the impacts.”

— Researchers’ letter to the FCC

Why this matters:

Unchecked satellite launches risk introducing pollutants into the atmosphere and increasing space debris, posing threats to both Earth’s environment and the long-term safety of space exploration. Without regulatory changes, private entities could determine the environmental fate of space without accountability.