Marlene de Bank expresses concerns about the environmental impact of launching numerous satellites for internet access being unsustainable.
The space sector, at the intersection of public procurement and private investment, is a demanding field. One of its most prominent players, SpaceX, is spearheading the Starlink project - an internet service provider via satellite that relies on a constellation of thousands of communication satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
However, the expansion of Starlink in space could have detrimental ecological consequences due to the large number of satellites involved.
Key impacts include:
Upper Atmosphere Pollution and Ozone Depletion
When Starlink satellites deorbit and burn up in the upper atmosphere, they release aluminum oxide (alumina), a substance linked to ozone layer depletion and altered atmospheric reflectivity (albedo). The alumina particles can remain in the atmosphere for decades, potentially harming the ozone layer and affecting Earth's climate balance. Since 2016, atmospheric aluminum oxide levels have increased substantially, with projections indicating a possible 640% rise if current deorbit rates continue.
Space Debris and Collision Risks
The massive increase in satellites—tens of thousands more expected—raises the risk of space debris accumulation and the Kessler Syndrome, a cascade of satellite collisions fragmenting debris and potentially rendering key Earth orbits unusable for future space operations. This also complicates space traffic management and increases collision risks.
Carbon Footprint and Climate Impact
The entire lifecycle of satellites, including production, launch, operation, and deorbiting, contributes a substantial carbon footprint, up to several hundred times greater per user than terrestrial alternatives. Rocket launches emit pollutants that can damage the ozone layer and contribute to climate change, while the energy-intensive ground infrastructure further increases environmental costs.
Shortened Satellite Lifespans Due to Solar Activity
Increased solar activity and geomagnetic storms cause greater atmospheric drag in LEO, reducing the operational lifespans of satellites like Starlink and causing more frequent reentries and burn-ups, thus potentially escalating atmospheric pollution and debris.
These ecological concerns are not limited to Starlink alone. Industrial actor consortia in China, linked to the state, would have the same carbon footprint as a Chinese constellation.
It is crucial to note that the question of the impact of the private sector on carbon emissions in the space sector is not mechanically linked.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for international regulations to manage these risks sustainably. The aerospace sector does not offer a decarbonization trajectory, making it essential to address these issues proactively.
As we strive for universal internet access, it's important to consider the environmental costs associated with such ambitious projects. To have a satellite above Earth and provide communication access everywhere, a hundred satellites are needed in low Earth orbit. With projects like Starlink aiming for 42,000 satellites in their constellation, the implications for our planet are significant.
Sources: [1] The Shift Project (2023) Virtual Worlds and the Infrastructures that Support Digital Offerings. [2] The Shift Project (2023) Space Sector: Energy and Climate Issues. [3] de Bank, M. (2023) Aluminum Oxide from Satellite Deorbiting: Environmental and Climate Consequences. [4] European Space Agency (2022) Solar Activity and Geomagnetic Storms: Implications for Low Earth Orbit Satellites. [5] United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (2021) Sustainable Use of Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines.
- The space sector, with its intersection of public procurement and private investment, is not only a demanding field but also requires attention towards environmental issues, such as the carbon footprint and climate impact of gadgets like smart-home devices and space-and-astronomy technology.
- The expansion of satellite constellations, like SpaceX's Starlink, could lead to an increase in space debris and collision risks, as well as a potential 640% rise in atmospheric aluminum oxide levels, which is associated with ozone depletion and altering the Earth's climate balance.
- The lifespans of satellites can be shortened due to solar activity and geomagnetic storms, which cause greater atmospheric drag in low Earth orbit, leading to more frequent reentries and burn-ups, and potentially escalating atmospheric pollution.
- The question of the impact of the private sector on carbon emissions in the space sector is complex, and it's important to implement international regulations to manage these risks sustainably, ensuring that ambitions for projects providing services like universal internet access, which require thousands of satellites, do not come at the expense of our planet's environment.
