SpaceX’s vision for a one-million-satellite orbital data center is facing opposition from a prominent anti-light-pollution group, which is urging its 193,000 supporters to push back.
SpaceX’s proposal “threatens to alter the night sky,” says DarkSky International, noting that it would increase the number of satellites in Earth’s orbit—currently at 14,500—by about 70x. “Once deployment begins at that scale, potentially involving thousands of launches each year, the effects on the night sky, orbital congestion, and the broader environment would be extraordinarily difficult to reverse,” the group argues.
To mobilize opposition, DarkSky released a step-by-step guide on how to file a formal public comment with the FCC concerning SpaceX’s million-satellite proposal, which includes a pre-written template that urges the commission to reject SpaceX’s request. (The FCC has seemingly fast-tracked the process to review SpaceX’s proposal.)
Although DarkSky isn’t opposed to satellite technology, the group argues that large “mega constellations” warrant rigorous environmental studies to assess potential impacts on the atmosphere and night sky. But so far, the FCC has moved to exclude satellite constellations from the National Environmental Protection Act and focus on expediting satellite approvals.
In response, DarkSky argues: “Proposals of this magnitude warrant rigorous scrutiny, transparency, and meaningful public input before any approval is considered.”
You can already see evidence of the group’s campaign in the FCC’s International Communications Filing System. Usually, many of the filings come from companies. But in recent days, we’ve noticed a wave of filings from individuals concerned about SpaceX’s proposal.
“I live in an area of the world where we still have dark skies available within an hour’s drive of major cities,” says a comment from someone in New Zealand. “I would like to leave the ability to see the stars for our children and grandchildren, without pollution of the sky by debris.”
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Satellites can reflect light in the hours after dusk and before dawn. Newer Starlink satellites are often too faint for the naked eye to see. But cameras can usually capture them as they streak across the sky. (Photo by: Alan Dyer/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
DarkSky is also urging supporters to oppose another satellite proposal from a company called Reflect Orbital, which is working to reflect sunlight to Earth at night using orbiting satellites fitted with large mirrors. The company envisions operating as many as 50,000 satellites by 2035 to deliver “sunlight on demand.” However, Reflect Orbital’s current request to the FCC only involves one satellite, the Earendil-1, to test the “space-based reflector technology.”
Meanwhile, the American Astronomical Society, which has about 7,700 members, published a post this week with instructions on how to submit a comment to the FCC on both SpaceX and Reflect Orbital’s satellite plans.
Astronomers and stargazers have also started to voice their opposition. “The night sky that my organization attempts to show our guests has already become substantially different from what it was over a decade ago when we began operations,” wrote a filing from the Wyoming Stargazing nonprofit. “Today, it is possible to count one dozen [satellites] in the sky at any given moment.”
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Still, we’ve also seen at least a few comments in support of SpaceX’s one-million-satellite plan. “This innovation can accelerate sustainable Al advancement, reduce global energy demands for computing, and position the US as a leader in space technology,” wrote one filer from Texas.
The FCC’s public comment period is open until March 6.
Sending up one million satellites is expected to require thousands of rocket launches, if not more, raising concerns about carbon emissions, air pollution, and potential space debris. Still, SpaceX argues that its satellite request will benefit the environment. Orbiting data centers would harness the plentiful energy from the Sun rather than strain Earth’s energy resources.
The company’s application to the FCC also mentions “developing industry-leading brightness mitigations” to prevent the satellites from creating light pollution. The company has already been doing this with existing Starlink satellites by using mirrors and even black paint. Still, one research paper has found that many of the latest satellites can still interfere with astronomical observations, despite efforts to reduce their brightness.
About Our Expert
Michael Kan
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I’ve been a journalist for over 15 years. I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, where I cover satellite internet services, cybersecurity, PC hardware, and more. I’m currently based in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China, covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing 600+ stories on availability and feature launches, but also the regulatory battles over the expansion of satellite constellations, fights with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and the effort to expand into satellite-based mobile service. I’ve combed through FCC filings for the latest news and driven to remote corners of California to test Starlink’s cellular service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. Earlier this year, the FTC forced Avast to pay consumers $16.5 million for secretly harvesting and selling their personal information to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint investigation with Motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Pandemic-era shortages led me to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000. I’m now following how President Trump’s tariffs will affect the industry. I’m always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send me tips.
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