Orbital space around Earth should soon be protected by environmental rules and regulations similar to those that protect the planet's land, sea and air, leading scientists say. An international team of researchers warns that a dramatic increase in the number of satellites is polluting the night sky for astronomers and stargazers, while increasing the risk of objects colliding in space and potentially even striking people or planes when they fall back to Earth. Much of the concern is driven by a surge in mega-constellations involving the placement of tens of thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit to provide broadband internet and other services. While companies like SpaceX and OneWeb are leading the way, others are interested, including Rwanda which recently submitted applications to launch 327,000 satellites in a single project. Scientists from the UK, US, Canada and the Netherlands warn the number of satellites in low-Earth orbit could exceed 100,000 by 2030, disrupting the work of astronomers and reshaping our view of the sky as the number of visible satellites. "fake stars" are starting to rival the number of real stars visible to the naked eye.
"We really need to unify our actions. We need to see where we get to the rules that we didn't apply properly, and where do we need the new rules?" said lead author, Andy Lawrence, a professor of astronomy at the University of Edinburgh.
"It's about recognizing that the problems we see in orbit are the same ones we see when we worry about land, oceans and the atmosphere. We need to put our heads together and say how we can solve these problems."
Among the proposals are regulations based on satellite space traffic footprints and different orbital carrying capacity limits.
What is it?
At the end of 2018, about 2,000 active satellites circled the Earth. That number has almost doubled in the last two years with the launch of SpaceX alone. All have gone to the densest low Earth orbit. The European Space Agency moved the orbiting Aeolus observatory to avoid colliding with a SpaceX satellite, the first time it has veered around an active satellite. Last year, China moved their space station twice because of the same problem. Scientists argue that while there are strong regulations to ensure satellites are launched safely and transmit signals only in certain frequency bands, almost none regulate the impact of satellites on the night sky, astronomy, Earth's atmosphere or orbital environment. The researchers describe how light reflected from satellites can distort astronomical observations by leaving streaks in images, while their broadcasts can drown out the faint natural radio signals that astronomers study to understand some of the most exotic objects in the cosmos. But the visible presence of so many satellites also undermines the ability to enjoy the night sky, they argue, an act that the International Astronomical Union says should be a fundamental right. There are other concerns too. The risk of falling satellite debris causing property damage or endangering life is currently relatively low. But the danger will increase as more satellites re-enter Earth's atmosphere late in their lives, with potentially lethal consequences.
"The first aircraft strikes or casualties on the ground are only a matter of time," the researchers warn. Yet another problem is rocket launch emissions which include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide and soot.
"The issue of increasing debris and congestion in Earth's orbit is a real challenge to the governance of human space activity," said Chris Newman, professor of space law and policy at the University of Northumbria.
"The breadth of new actors and rising geopolitical tensions mean that binding international agreements are still a long way off. After all, law can only take us so far. Countries and companies active in space need to demonstrate responsible leadership," he concluded.
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