A couple of abstracts relevant to the space environment from the upcoming European Geosciences Union (Vienna, 27 April–2 May 2025):

“Defining the environmental impacts of satellite megaconstellation missions in a rapidly growing space sector” https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/EGU25-17301.html

“Survey of the estimated mass of ablated material and intact debris from ‘end-of-life’ LEO spacecraft entering the atmosphere” https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/EGU25-12796.html

Three pieces by @Nature today on dark and quiet skies.

A news feature looking at the state of solutions for satellite constellations:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00792-y

A related Editorial:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00788-8

And a Comment piece by two experts on the risk of space debris hitting the ground:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00797-7

Not the first, won't be the last.
#megaconstellations #SpaceDebris #TheSkyIsFalling
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2472334-starlink-satellite-part-hit-a-canadian-farm-when-it-fell-from-orbit/

All current satellite datasets have been updated.

https://starlitter.info/?satellites=active&projection=mollweide&highlight-satellites=true&time=&time-mode=time-lapse

None of these are short term solutions. (P.S. If it sounds like science fiction, it might be science fiction.) In the mean time, launch rates continue to rise unabated.
#megaconstellations
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/tech/can-we-solve-the-satellite-air-pollution-problem-here-are-4-possible-fixes

This initiative completely flew under my radar, but happy to see it.
#megaconstellations
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/astronomers-urge-fcc-to-halt-satellite-megaconstellation-launches

Oh yeah. Another one.
#megaconstellations
RT @arstechnica
...
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/finally-a-sign-of-life-for-europes-sovereign-satellite-internet-constellation/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

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:
https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/24/scientists_fcc_tests_satellite_impact/

#space
#megaconstellations

All current satellite data sets have been updated.

https://starlitter.info/?satellites=active&projection=mollweide&highlight-satellites=true&time=&time-mode=time-lapse

Somehow missed this, but worth reposting here.
https://www.space.com/montreal-protocol-satellites-air-pollution

Le journal de l’Espace
Il faut qu’on parle des MEGACONSTELLATIONS : la BOMBE à retardement
https://mcinformactions.net/il-faut-qu-on-parle-des-megaconstellations-la-bombe-a-retardement
#megaconstellations

Here's a thesis some of you might be interested in: https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0445327

#FCC
#SpaceX
#Satellites
#GlobalEnvironmentalChange
#MegaConstellations
#SatelliteMegaConstellations

Now megaconstellation deployment *itself* generates debris: "A Chinese launch to deploy a first batch of communications satellites has created more than 50 pieces of debris which could threaten spacecraft in low Earth orbit." https://spacenews.com/chinese-megaconstellation-launch-creates-field-of-space-debris/

Not good. We're forfeiting the stars for connectivity, as if there were no other way to get a signal. #megaconstellations
https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-direct-to-cell-satellites-light-pollution

#Starlink #megaconstellations #trash #pollution

https://www.science.org/content/article/burned-satellites-are-polluting-atmosphere

All current satellite data sets have been updated.

https://starlitter.info/?satellites=active&projection=mollweide&highlight-satellites=true&time=&time-mode=time-lapse

After making good progress it seems the largest satellite operator on the planet is taking two steps back. Direct to cell satellite services = goodbye sky?
It will definitely be the death of radio #astronomy.
#megaconstellations
https://www.pcmag.com/news/cellular-starlink-satellites-light-up-the-night-sky-a-bit-too-much