Orbit Overload: Climate Shifts Could Leave Space Junk Lingering
TL;DR
SpaceX has asked for permission to launch up to one million satellites to provide global internet, but researchers warn that an already crowded orbit could become messier as climate-change–driven changes in the upper atmosphere cause space debris to linger longer; by century’s end, only about half as many satellites may safely fit in orbit, even as SpaceX accounts for roughly two-thirds of all satellites launched to date (about 15,000).
- Sorry, SpaceX: It’s Getting Too Crowded Up There The New York Times
- SpaceX's 1 million satellites could avoid environmental checks New Scientist
- We’re putting more stuff into space than ever. Here’s what’s up there. MIT Technology Review
- Too many satellites? Earth’s orbit is on track for a catastrophe – but we can stop it The Conversation
- Elon Musk Wants To Put 1 Million Satellites Into Space. The FCC is Asking For Opinions IFLScience
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