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As Elon Musk moves forward with thousands of Starlink satellites, scientists warn of environmental risks and lack of regulation under the Trump administration.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is revolutionizing the space industry with its mega-constellation of Starlink satellites, which promise to bring internet to every corner of the planet. But as Starlink grows rapidly, scientists and regulators are warning of potential environmental impacts. Against the backdrop of Trump administration policies, the lack of adequate environmental reviews raises questions about the damage thousands of satellites could cause to the ozone layer and Earth’s atmosphere. Could the quest for connectivity across the globe be costing the atmosphere dearly?
The growth of satellites in Earth's orbit
The space race has never been more intense. In 2010, there were about 1.000 satellites in orbit; today, that number has surpassed 10.000. Most of them come from companies like SpaceX, Amazon and OneWeb. Among these giants, SpaceX's Starlink dominates the scene, accounting for more than half of the satellites currently active.
And the growth continues: SpaceX has already filed an application to launch 30.000 more Starlink satellites, part of Elon Musk’s ambitious project to provide high-speed internet anywhere in the world. Projections indicate that, by 2030, around 58.000 new satellites could be orbiting the Earth. But this technological advance raises an important question: what does all this mean for the atmosphere?
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Launch and operation of Starlink satellites could damage the ozone layer
Recent research suggests that the launch and operation of megaconstellations like Starlink could cause significant damage to the ozone layer. Every rocket launch, pollutants such as carbon dioxide and black carbon are emitted, which can trigger chemical reactions that are harmful to the Earth's natural protection against solar radiation.
Additionally, the “re-entry” of satellites into the atmosphere at the end of their useful life releases aluminum oxides, substances that can remain in the atmosphere for decades and cause considerable destruction of the ozone layer.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that if current megaconstellation plans come to fruition, aluminum oxide levels could increase 21 times compared to 2022. This scenario could have impacts that we don't even fully understand yet, as scientists like Nilton Renno point out.
Elon Musk, the Trump administration and environmental regulation
Elon Musk, known for his disruptive approach, is not a fan of regulations. He has publicly criticized regulations that affect his companies, and with the support of the Trump administration, he may gain even more leeway to move forward with his plans.
Musk was recently tapped to lead a new Office of Government Efficiency, promising to cut what he calls “waste and unnecessary regulation.” But that vision clashes with concerns among many scientists, who are calling for greater scrutiny over satellite launches and their potential environmental impacts.
In October, more than 100 scientists signed a letter requesting that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suspend new megaconstellation launches until environmental reviews are conducted. The letter notes that excluding satellites from these reviews “offends common sense,” given the large number of launches planned.
The FCC, for its part, has signaled that it will review its rules on excluding satellites from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). If it finds that megaconstellations significantly affect the environment, environmental reviews could become mandatory.
Global connection or high environmental price?
Elon Musk's promise with Starlink satellites is tempting: connect billions of people to the internet, including remote and underserved communities. However, the environmental costs of this technological revolution are still unknown.
Studies suggest that about 10% of aerosol particles in the stratosphere already contain metals from satellites. That number could jump to 50% in the coming decades, with impacts we cannot yet predict.
Experts like Michelle Hanlon, director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi, believe more research is needed before halting launches. But scientists like Joseph Wang warn that policy and technology decisions should be based on accurate predictions of environmental impacts.
The future of space exploration and the atmosphere
The expansion of megaconstellations, led by SpaceX and Starlink, represents a major step forward for global connectivity. But it also raises an urgent question: how do we balance technological progress with environmental sustainability?
As discussions about regulation continue, one thing is certain: the actions of companies like SpaceX, backed by figures like Elon Musk and the Trump administration, will have a lasting impact, both on global connectivity and the health of the planet.
The modern space race may be just beginning, but the challenges it brings are already big enough to make us wonder: are we ready to pay the price for this progress?
Biased news of an ideological nature. The Trump administration has not even started and she is already making accusations against Trump. The girl did not even comment on the agreement signed by Lula and the Chinese “Starlink”, which theoretically will also expose humanity to the supposed damage or imminent danger caused by such technology.
Oh, is the article biased? It's like saying Elon Musk is biased towards making satellites. That's a low blow, really!