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Excellent new report by the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG): WasteX: Environmental harms of satellite internet mega-constellations pirg.org/edfund/resources/wast

The report has great info on why 10s of thousands of throwaway satellites are terrible, and 2 powerful recommendations:

1. Pause launches until environmental reviews are done
2. Stop the categorical exclusion of satellites from environmental review

U.S. PIRG Education FundWasteX: Environmental harms of satellite internet mega-constellationsFueled by satellite internet companies, the number of satellites in orbit is skyrocketing. The environmental risks may be massive.

And there's even a petition you can sign to support these recommendations! Want the US government to actually look at the environmental consequences of SpaceX and other megaconstellation launches? Sign here!

pirg.org/edfund/take-action/te

If you're an astronomer (amateur or professional), I have a different petition letter link to send you, DM me and I'll send it do you (...eventually)

U.S. PIRG Education FundTell the FCC: Satellite mega-constellations need environmental reviewWe'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. The new space race doesn't need to create massive space waste.
Prof. Sam Lawler

One of my colleagues wrote me an email to the effect of "Your satellite regulation advocacy is really having an impact! ...ok maybe that was a poor choice of words given your most recent news interviews..."

@sundogplanets Your fans outside Washington, DC still think Elon was putting shots “across your bow”.

@clacke @sundogplanets It is a joke. It is reference to the serious article mentioned earlier in the thread.

@sundogplanets
Those pieces of debris are frickin’ terrifying.

Also, keep up the fantastic work.