An artist's illustration of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites in orbit. (Image credit: SpaceX)

SpaceX Starlink satellites responsible for over half of close encounters in orbit, scientist says

By Tereza Pultarova, Published by Space.com, 18 August 2021 Starlink satellites might soon be involved in 90% of close encounters between two spacecraft in low Earth orbit. Operators of satellite constellations are constantly forced to move their satellites because of encounters with other spacecraft and pieces of space junk. And,

Read More

Billionaire space race: What does it mean for climate change and the environment?

By Jocelyn Timperley, Published by Science Focus, 12 August, 2021 New regulations regarding the environmental impacts of space travel must be put in place to prevent the emergence of a ‘Wild West’ attitude, experts say. Space travel made international headlines in July as both Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Virgin

Read More

Arianespace's eighth launch for OneWeb expanded its constellation to 254 satellites. Credit: Roscosmos, Space Center Vostochny, TsENKI

U.K. to strengthen regulations for Starlink, OneWeb and other NGSO constellations

By Jason Rainbow, Published by SpaceNews, 26 July 2021 TAMPA, Fla. — British telecoms regulator Ofcom is proposing rule changes that would affect Starlink, OneWeb and other satellite constellations operating in non-geostationary orbits (NGSO). It is increasingly difficult for companies to agree on how to operate their NGSO networks without

Read More

All the Satellites in Space Could Crack Open the Ozone Layer

By Caroline Delbert, Published by Popular Mechanics, 17 June 2021 Mega-constellations might end up being a massive problem. A huge number of low-Earth orbit satellites could cause environmental problems.Byproduct aluminum oxide reflects sunlight and helps to deplete ozone.There are unintended consequences in legality and even the study of astronomy. The

Read More

The atmospheric reentry process generates extreme heat and mechanical loads, which lead to the satellite's disintegration at the altitude of about 45 miles. (Image credit: ESA)

Air pollution from reentering megaconstellation satellites could cause ozone hole 2.0

By Tereza Pultarova, Published by Space.com, 7 June 2021 When defunct satellites burn in the atmosphere, they leave behind chemicals that could damage the ozone layer and affect how much light Earth absorbs. Chemicals released as defunct satellites burn in the atmosphere could damage Earth’s protective ozone layer if plans

Read More