FCC Should Pause LEO Launches, Scientists Say

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2024 – More than 100 astronomers and other scientists urged the Federal Communications Commission to pause new broadband satellite launches until the agency assesses the environmental effects of planned mega-constellations.

“We shouldn’t rush forward with launching satellites at this scale without making sure the benefits justify the potential consequences of these new mega-constellations being launched, and then re-entering our atmosphere to burn up and/or create debris,” they wrote in a Thursday letter to the agency.

“We’re in a short window of time when we can prevent making a mess of space and our atmosphere rather than spend decades cleaning it up.”