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space-environment.bsky.social
Center for Space Environmentalism
@space-environment.bsky.social
120 followers 56 following 84 posts
The Center for Space Environmentalism (CSE) increases awareness and understanding of space environmentalism issues and helps stakeholders make better decisions about them by pursuing research, education, outreach and advocacy. spaceenvironmentalism.org
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space-environment.bsky.social
"According to new research, 'space waste' injects a considerable amount of its matter into the mesosphere and lower thermosphere — enough to potentially weaken the Earth’s ozone layer."

spacenews.com/uncontrolled...

#SpaceEnvironment #Space #Atmosphere
‘Uncontrolled experiment:’ Study links harmful atmospheric metals to spacecraft reentry
‘Uncontrolled experiment:’ Study links harmful atmospheric metals to spacecraft reentry
spacenews.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
Starlink satellites "are deployed in a giant mesh around the planet. This means a solar storm and its accompanying geomagnetic storm is likely to influence at least some of the satellites, no matter when it occurs."

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

#SpaceEnvironment
Satellites face solar storm threat
Charged particles from the sun could affect mega internet constellations like SpaceX's Starlink
www.sciencedirect.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
“From 2020 onward, a strong rise in space waste mass influx to the atmosphere can be seen. ... This indicates a substantial risk of long-term adverse effects on the atmosphere such as ozone depletion, radiative effects and changes in cloud formation, if no action is taken.”

arxiv.org/abs/2510.21328
Space waste: An update of the anthropogenic matter injection into Earth atmosphere
Large satellite constellations are one of the main reasons for an increasing amount of mass being brought into low Earth orbit in recent years. After end of life, the satellites, as well as rocket sta...
arxiv.org
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
“A 10-fold enhancement of lithium atoms was detected at 96 km altitude by a resonance lidar at Kuhlungsborn, Germany, approximately 20 hours after the uncontrolled re-entry of a Falcon 9 upper stage on 19 February 2025.”

Preprint: assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-712...

#Atmosphere #Pollution
assets-eu.researchsquare.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"The return to Earth of three Chinese astronauts has been delayed until an unspecified date after their spacecraft was apparently struck by a small piece of debris, according to Chinese state media."

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

#SpaceDebris #SpaceEnvironment
Return of Chinese astronauts delayed after spacecraft struck by debris
The three astronauts from the Shenzhou-20 mission flew to the Tiangong space station in April, and were expected to return on Wednesday
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:44 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"On Saturday (Oct. 18), mine workers found a mysterious smoking slab sitting near a remote access road some 30 km east of Newman, Western Australia. ... An early look at the mysterious debris suggests that it is made of carbon fiber, and is perhaps part of a rocket."

www.space.com/space-explor...
Mysterious wreckage in Australian Outback is likely part of Chinese rocket
"It could actually be (a significant part of) the upper stage itself."
www.space.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:33 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
New research "underscores the urgency for a collaborative international framework to regulate space traffic and preserve the long-term viability of Earth orbits."

www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...

#China #UnitedStates #Satellites #STM #SDA #SpaceEnvironment
Competing for the Orbital Commons: Megaconstellations and Strategic Rivalry in Low Earth Orbit
Megaconstellation deployment has become a focal point in international discourse, especially between the global powers of the United States and China. This paper investigates China’s and the U.S. s...
www.tandfonline.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:33 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"The most unfortunate part of the Reflect Orbital proposal is how unnecessary it is. ... But sadly, the days of the 'wild, wild west' still continue when it comes to the environment surrounding our planet: low-Earth orbit."

bigthink.com/starts-with-...

#Space #SpaceEnvironment #SunlightAsAService
The true cost of "solar power at night" with Reflect Orbital
Solar power has the disadvantage that there's no Sun at night. Satellite startup Reflect Orbital wants to change that, but at what cost?
bigthink.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"The Dark and Quiet Skies Campaign serves us well to remember that the governance of outer space is not simply about money and geopolitics. The values of science and culture also have a place."

legal-planet.org/2025/10/13/w...

#Space #SpaceLaw
The Dark and Quiet Skies Campaign - Legal Planet
What is Space Law? And what does it have to do with environmental law? Satellites pollute in more ways than you think.
legal-planet.org
October 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"With up to four satellites falling to Earth daily in 2025, ... concerns about space debris and atmospheric pollution are mounting."

dailygalaxy.com/2025/10/star...

#SpaceEnvironment #SpaceDebris #Atmosphere #Space
Why Starlink Satellites Are Falling More Than Ever – And What It Means for Earth
With Starlink satellites deorbiting at an alarming rate, experts warn of potential environmental risks and the growing problem of space debris.
dailygalaxy.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:25 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"It remains to be seen whether Reflect Orbital’s project will get off the ground. ... The consequences of success for astronomers – and anyone else who likes the night sky dark – would be dire."

theconversation.com/a-us-startup...

#Space #SpaceEnvironment #Satellites
A US startup plans to deliver ‘sunlight on demand’ after dark. Can it work – and would we want it to?
Satellites beaming sunlight down to Earth sound like science fiction – and they have astronomers very worried.
theconversation.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:11 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
CSE's @planet4589.bsky.social recently spoke to EarthSky about the sharp increase in satellite re-entries and the implications this has for everything from the appearance of the night sky to effects on the Earth's atmosphere.

earthsky.org/human-world/...
1 to 2 Starlink satellites are falling back to Earth each day
earthsky.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:44 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
The FCC Chairman's proposal to replacing current space operations licensing from what he derides as a "default-to-no" system to a "default-to-yes framework" risks reckless actions in space. It caters to powerful corporations and does not serve the public interest.

spacenews.com/fcc-launches...
FCC launches ‘Space Month’ to fast-track satellite licensing and spectrum reforms
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr vowed Oct. 6 to accelerate satellite regulatory reforms, declaring October as “Space Month” at the U.S. regulator to overhaul licensing and spectrum rules amid mounting compe...
spacenews.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"California-based Reflect Orbital recently requested a license from the FCC to launch a demonstration satellite in 2026. While its mission is to extend the operating hours of solar farms, astronomers say doing so will come at the expense of their research."

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Plan to Reflect Sunlight to Power Solar Panels at Night Upsets Astronomers
Reflect Orbital aims to launch its first of a planned 4,000 satellites into orbit next year. Scientists worry that it would be “ruinous” for research.
www.bloomberg.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
Space continues to fill quickly: "SpaceX has filed with the FCC asking to launch 15,000 new satellites for direct-to-device service. The filing does not share many specifics about the range of services that would be supported by this constellation."

www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity...
SpaceX Seeks Approval for 15,000 Satellites to Use MSS Spectrum
SpaceX has filed with the FCC asking to launch 15,000 new satellites for D2D service that would use the spectrum SpaceX purchased from EchoStar.
www.satellitetoday.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"An executive order signed last month to streamline rocket launches has been celebrated by officials in the commercial space sector. But it’s also causing a wave of alarm – from scientists, environmental activists and astronomers."

www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

#SpaceEnvironment
Don’t look up: how Trump’s deregulation drive could obscure the stars and threaten our access to space
Astronomers are warning that the proliferation of satellite constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink, are making their work harder than it’s ever been
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"Back in 2022, the FCC set regulations requiring satellites operating in low-Earth orbit (LEO) to deorbit within five years of completing their mission, in order to reduce collisions and #SpaceDebris. Now, Amazon wants to see that rule scrapped."

www.lightreading.com/satellite/am...
Amazon to FCC: Drop five-year deorbit rule
Amazon wants the FCC to roll back a five-year deorbit rule for satellites which was established in 2022 to mitigate the harms of orbital debris.
www.lightreading.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:22 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"Bright communication satellites in low-Earth orbit are beginning to interfere with astronomical observing. Soon, a new type of satellite will intentionally beam sunlight to Earth’s surface at night."

skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...

#Space #SpaceEnvironment
skyandtelescope.org
September 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"The decision to pursue space-based weapons marks a significant departure from previous U.S. military policy. For decades, placing weapons in orbit was considered a provocative act, potentially triggering a new arms race in space."

visegradpost.com/en/2025/09/0...

#Space #SpaceWarfare
"We're Putting Weapons In Space And Breaking Every Rule": Trump Administration Shatters Decades-Old Military Taboo With Orbital Missile Defense System Against Hypersonic Threats - Visegrád Post
In a strategic move that could redefine modern warfare, the Trump administration has announced plans for a revolutionary space-based missile defense system.
visegradpost.com
September 6, 2025 at 8:13 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
Earlier this week CSE provided on-record comments to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration at a virtual public meeting on the SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Launch Vehicle at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A Environmental Impact Statement.

www.spaceenvironmentalism.org/actions/publ...
CSE comment at U.S. FAA virtual public meeting on SpaceX Starship-Super Hea
The following remarks were entered into the public record on behalf of CSE by Co-Founder Angelina Reddy regarding the SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Project at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
www.spaceenvironmentalism.org
September 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"The European Union will deploy additional satellites in low Earth orbit to strengthen resilience against GPS interferences and will improve capabilities to detect it, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Monday."

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

#Space #SpaceEnvironment #Defence
EU to boost satellite defences against GPS jamming, Defence commissioner says
The European Union will deploy additional satellites in low Earth orbit to strengthen resilience against GPS interferences and will improve capabilities to detect it, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Monday.
www.reuters.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:18 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"The contemporary LEO boom, far from being a rising tide that lifts all boats, is paradoxically leading to the consolidation of control over the most fundamental resources of spaceflight."

www.thespacereview.com/article/5044/1

#Space #SpaceEnvironment
The Space Review: The LEO toll road: How the constellation gold rush is paving over the path to the planets
www.thespacereview.com
August 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
The Trump Administration's recent executive order loosening regulatory oversight of U.S. space launch facilities led us to issue our first public position. Read our position and the evidence that supports it here: www.spaceenvironmentalism.org/actions/posi...

#SpaceEnvironment #NEPA #Environment
CSE Opposes Weakening U.S. Environmental Review Standards For Launch Sites
Introduction and background On August 13, 2025, the U.S. Administration issued an Executive Order titled “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry”. The Order aims to ease federal regulat...
www.spaceenvironmentalism.org
August 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order with the purpose of enabling commercial space companies by reducing or removing environmental and other regulations. However, ... removing regulations could prove an environmental disaster."

www.iflscience.com/trumps-execu...

#SpaceEnvironment
Trump's Executive Order To Slash Environmental Regulations For Space Launches: We Look At The Risks And Realities
Claims that environmental protections are obstacles to the space industry do not match evidence of what happens around spaceports.
www.iflscience.com
August 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
space-environment.bsky.social
"Whatever nation or entity gets there first will likely establish what the directive calls a 'keep-out zone' for safety and security. These zones, which may cover a few square miles, would prevent competitors from entering the same space."

www.wired.com/story/why-th...
Why the US Is Racing to Build a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
NASA has set a 2030 deadline to build a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the moon. It’s an ambitious but potentially achievable goal that could transform space exploration, experts tell WIRED.
www.wired.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:48 PM