The case for space environmentalism
A. Lawrence, M.L. Rawls, M. Jah, A.Boley, F. Di Vruno, S. Garrington, M. Kramer, S. Lawler, J. Lowenthal, J. McDowell, M. McCaughrean.
Nature Astronomy, April 22nd, 2022.
Following Nature policy, this version posted on ArXiV is the author accepted text. The final typeset version is available at
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-022-01655-6
or at
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-022-01655-6
Abstract
The shell bound by the Karman line at a height of ~80–100km above the Earth's surface, and Geosynchronous Orbit, at ~36,000km, is defined as the orbital space surrounding the Earth. It is within this region, and especially in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where environmental issues are becoming urgent because of the rapid growth of the anthropogenic space object population, including satellite ‘mega-constellations’. In this Perspective, we summarise the case that the orbital space around the Earth should be considered an additional ecosystem, and so subject to the same care and concerns and the same broad regulations as, for example, the oceans and the atmosphere. We rely on the orbital space environment by looking through it as well as by working within it. Hence, we should consider damage to professional astronomy, public stargazing and the cultural importance of the sky, as well as the sustainability of commercial, civic and military activity in space. Damage to the orbital space environment has problematic features in common with other types of environmental issue. First, the observed and predicted damage is incremental and complex, with many contributors. Second, whether or not space is formally and legally seen as a global commons, the growing commercial exploitation of what may appear a ‘free’ resource is in fact externalising the true costs.
Main
This article has its origin in an Amicus Brief [1] submitted to the US Court of Appeal in August 2021, in support of an appeal made by several organisations against a specific order made by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). That order granted license amendments for SpaceX Starlink satellites. As we write, the appeal process is still underway, but all submissions to the Court have been made, so it is appropriate to make the material public. Since constructing the Amicus Brief, similar very general environmental arguments have been made in an article by L. Miraux [2].
