In a new report , the U.S. Government Accountability Office ( GAO ) is asking the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) to reassess how large constellations of satellites are regulated and approved for launch .
GAO ’s psychoanalysis , released on Wednesday , descend amid an ever - increasing number of satellites revolve Earth — with new object being sent to spaceat least hebdomadally . The U.S. is responsible for forthe largest single shareof those launch .
“ By 2030 , tens of grand of commercial satellites are expect to join the 1000 of satellites already in range , ” wrote the judgment authors . “ scientist and others have raised vexation about the potential environmental and other burden of large quantities of satellites . ”
The Starlink 27 satellites, visible as a bright line in the sky over Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada on the same day as their 2021 launch from Cape Canaveral.Photo:Alan Dyer / VWPics via AP(AP)
As more satellites are launched and accumulate in orbit , more can go ill-timed , the GAO channelise out . For example , damagingcollisions become increasinglylikely with each extra aim added to the collection already circulating Earth . Research is starting to suggest that the cumulative emission from all those launch could be shifting thecomposition of our atmosphere — particularly at upper levels . Large groups of satellites orbiting together , as with SpaceX ’s Starlink , place a peril ofinterfering with astronomic observationsand wireless transmissions on Earth . And there’sa very small , but non - zero , chance of dust from planet falling out of orbit damaging property or hurt people .
Each of these impact is studied or valuate by at least one government authority , according to the GAO ’s report — but there ’s limited coordination , and no agency is considering all of the categories together . One direction to ascertain thorough , centralised environmental revaluation would be through the National Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ) . However satellite launches , even large constellation projects , are presently nontaxable from that physical process . The exemption date back to 1986 — before bombastic constellations of satellites existed — and the FCC has n’t adequately explicate why , according to the watchdog agency .
“ FCC officials say us that they are always considering whether the unconditional excommunication is current and appropriate and that they have a operation in plaza for interested company to raise headache , ” write the GAO source . “ However , FCC officials were not able-bodied to provide documentation demonstrating that they specifically face at the categorical expulsion as it apply to license large configuration of satellites . ”
All of the things that the GAO believes should be better considered when approving satellite constellation launches.Image:Government Accountability Office
Thus , the GAO urge that the FCC newly value all of the environmental impacts of satellite constellations , re - impose whether or not they should be covered under NEPA , and make all of their findings public .
“ give that federal agencies are conducting research and learning more about likely environmental effects of large constellations of satellites , it is important for FCC to consider this information in its decision - devising going forrad , ” wrote the GAO .
And the FCC has agree to comply . The federal agency write that it is “ attached to ensuring that its actions , admit satellite licensing activities are in complianve with the requisite of [ NEPA ] , ” in a letter respond to the GAO report .
severally from GAO oversight , the Commission has expressed its own desire for more artificial satellite regulation . Just this week , FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced a planto launching a consecrated Space Bureauthrough which the communications agency could streamline satellite licensing and restriction . And in September , the government agency issued adraft orderthat would need satellites to come back down to Earth within five years of commission completion ( instead of 25 ) , in an exploit to minimize the amount of space trash zipping through low Earth orbit .
And hopefully , between all of these new considerations , Earth ’s upper atmosphere and low-pitched sphere zone will become a cleaner , greener space in place for all .
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