Environmental organizations and space industry experts have jointly petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block proposed plans for constructing datacenters in orbit by companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. The petition highlights that the deployment of millions of satellites required for these space datacenters would emit significant pollutants into the upper atmosphere, posing serious risks to the environment.
These pollutants, including black carbon, nitrogen oxides, aluminum oxide, and various rare metals, are released during rocket launches and as debris burns up on re-entry. Experts warn that these emissions could damage the ozone layer, increase harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface, destabilize the climate, and cause extensive light pollution that disrupts nocturnal animals. Recent studies found metals contaminating sulfuric acid aerosols in the stratosphere, which are vital for regulating Earth's temperature and serve as a natural sunscreen; however, the effects of spacecraft-emitted metals interacting with these aerosols remain largely unknown.
The number of operational satellites has surged dramatically from around 1,400 in 2015 to approximately 15,000 today, with projections estimating up to 100,000 satellites orbiting within the coming decade. Former federal space officials have questioned whether orbital datacenters are technically feasible, even as they acknowledge the growing environmental dangers associated with mass satellite launches.
The petition criticizes the FCC for approving licenses without demanding thorough environmental impact assessments or effective mitigation strategies. While some companies vaguely promise to reduce satellite brightness, most proposals lack concrete plans addressing the broader ecological consequences. The groups argue that federal regulations compel a full evaluation of these projects’ environmental footprint before licenses are issued to avoid irreversible damage to the planet.