"For now, people are more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space junk. But those odds are shifting. [E]xperts say that governments and companies should be compelled to use materials that will fully disintegrate. No such regulation exists." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/w...

A Ton of Space Junk Tumbles Unpredictably to Earth Every Week

Flaming chunks of metal crash into homes, farms and parking lots. Who’s to blame? And who pays for the damage?

nytimes.com

We just filed a Reply Comment with FCC opposing Cowboy Space’s 20,000-satellite constellation. Instead of engaging with the science on atmospheric pollution and astronomy hazards, they relied on procedural deflections. Read our full filing here: www.spaceenvironmentalism.org/actions/publ...

Reply Comment to the Cowboy Space Corporation consolidated opposition and r

July 30, 2026 Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 via ICFS Electronic Filing In the Matter of: Cowboy Space Application for “Stampede” Constellation ICFS File No. ...

spaceenvironmentalism.org

Amazon is asking the FCC to approve 5,105 massive new satellites while hiding their orbital debris risk models behind a wall of corporate secrecy. The public deserves full transparency, because a safe and sustainable space environment belongs to all of us. spacenews.com/amazon-files...

Amazon files application for direct-to-device satellite constellation

Amazon filed plans with the FCC for a constellation of more than 5,100 satellites that would provide direct-to-device services using Globalstar spectrum.

spacenews.com

"The U.S. can single-handedly green-light massive spaceflight projects that could completely change the view of the night sky for the entire world. Space law experts say there is very little other nations and the international community can do." www.space.com/space-explor...

Private companies could ruin the night sky for the entire world, and international law can't stop them

"The regulatory environment and regulatory framework has significant gaps and holes in it. Essentially, the technology is outpacing the regulatory environment."

space.com

"In early July, the Australian Space Agency reported that objects recovered, dubbed 'space balls,' are likely pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle.' This latest incident is part of an unwanted legacy of being the 'fall guy' for space remains." www.space.com/space-explor...

Metal spheres found in Australia show how little we still know about falling space debris, experts say

"The real challenge is that this is still an area that we don't completely understand. We get surprises now and again."

space.com

"'This refuge is one of the last places left for the public to enjoy nature in the Rio Grande Valley,' Jordahl added. 'The court has to intervene now, because once these refuge lands are transferred to SpaceX, they’re gone forever.'" www.space.com/space-explor... #Space #Environment

'The court has to intervene now': Indigenous groups and conservationists condemn SpaceX's South Texas land swap

"Federal officials are racing to fork over America's public lands to one of wealthiest corporations on Earth before the courts can even weigh in."

space.com

"Space datacenters would release staggering levels of pollution that would probably alter the Earth’s atmosphere and be 'catastrophic' for the planet, space industry experts and environmental groups warn in a new petition demanding a review of their impacts." www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Space datacenters proposed by Musk and Bezos ‘catastrophic’ for planet, experts warn

New US petition demands review of plans from tech companies amid fears of environmental destruction

theguardian.com

"Reflect Orbital faces staunch opposition from many in the scientific community—including astronomers and scientists who told @moneywise.com that the satellites could cause harm to life on Earth [and] pose ... 'an existential threat to optical astronomy.'" moneywise.com/news/top-sto...

FCC approves Reflect Orbital's giant space mirrors to sell 'sunlight on demand' — scientists warn of 'existential threat' to astronomy and the Earth

Will Reflect Orbital’s satellites help build a cleaner, more sustainable future — or cause widespread harm in a world where the sky “does not go dark when it is night”?

moneywise.com

"@wired.com wrote about Reflect Orbital's giant mirror in September 2024, when the project was still in its early stages. Two years later, the Trump administration has given the green light to this provider of 'on-demand' sunlight." www.wired.com/story/reflec... #Space #SpaceEnvironment

The US Approves Launch of Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at Night

The FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch the mirror satellite Eärendil-1. “For optical astronomy, this poses an existential threat,” the European Southern Observatory said.

wired.com

The FCC's recent approval of Reflect Orbital Inc.’s application for the EARENDIL-1 prototype satellite creates a massive regulatory loophole that leaves our shared night sky unprotected from commercial exploitation. Read our full statement here: www.spaceenvironmentalism.org/actions/publ...

CSE Statement on FCC Approval of Reflect Orbital Prototype Object License

Center for Space Environmentalism Condemns FCC Approval of Reflect Orbital’s Prototype Satellite WASHINGTON (July 10, 2026) — The Center for Space Environmentalism (CSE) strongly condemns the Federal...

spaceenvironmentalism.org

"The Atmospheric Impacts of Re-entry and Launch (AIRL): High Priority Actions and Recommendations", a high-level research agenda for studying the atmospheric impacts of space activities, has been published: zenodo.org/records/2083... #Environment #SpaceEnvironment #Satelliltes

"Professor Quentin Parker highlighted the pressing risks of an increasingly crowded orbital ecosystem. 'If we don’t cure it, it’s going to kill the environment. By that I mean cascading catastrophic collapse of the entire low Earth orbit ecosystem.'" macaubusiness.com/space-debris...

Space debris threat could trigger cascading collapse of low Earth orbit ecosystem, expert warns | Macau Business

International, Macau, MNA | Careless traffic and a soaring number of low Earth orbit satellites could trigger a catastrophic breakdown of global communications, weather monitoring,

macaubusiness.com

"If all satellites in orbit suddenly lost the ability to manoeuvre and control their orientation, how long would it take for two to come close enough to crash? In 2018, it was 164 days. Our new research finds that as of May 2026, it is at 2.5 days." theconversation.com/a-new-crash-...

A new CRASH Clock measures the chance of satellite collisions, and it’s ticking down fast

How prepared are we for a solar storm, bad software update or cybersecurity event that could trigger widespread loss of satellite control?

theconversation.com

"SaxaVord Spaceport is applying for a licence to start dropping disused rocket components into the sea north of Shetland over the next 12 months. The application reveals 'significant risk' that debris could hit tourist and fishing boats, posing a threat to life." www.theferret.scot/spaceport-sh...

A spaceport plans to dump tonnes of rocket junk into the sea north of Shetland, posing a risk to tourism and fishing

Tourism and fishing associations in Shetland have voiced alarm and concern about the plans, while campaigners condemn space companies as “litter louts".

theferret.scot

Earth’s orbit isn't a regulatory loophole for AI computing. CSE filed an objection to Cowboy Space’s 20,000-satellite data center plan. We break down the dangerous atmospheric pollution and collision risks. The FCC must require an EIS. Read our filing: www.spaceenvironmentalism.org/actions/publ...

Cowboy Space ODC comment

July 1, 2026 Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 via ICFS Electronic Filing ) In the Matter of: Cowboy Space Application ) IC...

spaceenvironmentalism.org

"NASA's plan to deorbit the International Space Station in coming years has fallen under the scrutiny of a government watchdog group and stirred up a wave of reaction by a leading ocean conservation organization." www.space.com/space-explor... #Environment #SpaceEnvironment #ISS #NASA #Oceans

NASA wants to dump the ISS in the sea. Experts say the plan 'raises serious concerns for ocean health'

"We believe this gap in international law needs to be closed, and the ISS de-orbit is a vivid illustration of why."

space.com

"The upper stage from a commercial Chinese rocket that launched last week broke apart in space, spreading debris in a heavily trafficked part of low-Earth orbit home to the International Space Station and a significant portion of SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network." arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...

A Chinese rocket breaks apart dangerously close to the Starlink constellation

The rocket's breakup likely generated 100 to 150 new pieces of space junk.

arstechnica.com

"Scientists have already raised alarms about the dangers of overcrowding in our current satellite ecosystem. What happens if we go from our current count of 15,000 satellites to 1 million?" (via @cnet.com) www.cnet.com/science/spac... #Space #SpaceEnvironment

SpaceX’s 1M AI Satellites Will Create Space Junkyard, Experts Warn

As Musk prepares for the largest IPO in history, SpaceX's plan to park a million data centers in Earth’s orbit has left scientists worried about a Wall-E-style orbital graveyard.

cnet.com

"Governments providing authorization for orbital solar reflectors should mandate full pre-launch ecological risk assessments; restrict operations in protected and eco-logically sensitive regions; and limit illumination duration, intensity, and coverage." www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #Space

Ecological risks of orbital solar reflectors

Reflect Orbital, a California-based company, plans to deploy 4000 mirror satellites designed to reflect sunlight to Earth’s night side for nighttime lighting and supplementary solar power generation. ...

science.org

"Look up soon after sunset, and Starlinks and other satellites are everywhere. For astrophotographers and both visual and radio astronomers, the mega-constellation era is a tragedy." www.space.com/stargazing/m...

My quiet obsession with satellites — and how they're ruining everything

From ruined photos to vanishing darkness, satellites are transforming the night sky — and not always for the better.

space.com

"As SpaceX gears up to start launching orbital data center spacecraft as soon as next year, astronomers warn those satellites could cause serious interference with their observations." (via @spacenewsinc.bsky.social) spacenews.com/astronomers-...

Astronomers fear orbital data centers will interfere with observations

As SpaceX gears up to start launching orbital data center spacecraf, astronomers warn those satellites could cause serious interference.

spacenews.com

Thanks to @bberwyn.bsky.social of @insideclimatenews.org for this great story about many of the issues that CSE works on. insideclimatenews.org/news/1306202... #Space #SpaceEnvironment #SpacePolicy

A Commercial Space Race Prompts a Thorny Question: Who Owns the Sky? - Inside Climate News

The surge in satellites brings pollution and risks of repeating destructive colonial practices, experts warn.

insideclimatenews.org

"The foundation of global space law that has governed human activity outside Earth for nearly six decades may be approaching a breaking point, according to a new analysis by two astronomers." thedebrief.org/the-outer-sp...

"The night sky is a powerful unifying force. By reflecting on our responsibility in these conflicts, being honest with ourselves about the true motivations of companies, we have a much better chance of preserving the night sky for future generations." justspacealliance.substack.com/p/astronomer...

Astronomers: SpaceX Won't Love You Back

A Guest Piece by Magnus L'Argent

justspacealliance.substack.com

"At the 2026 European Geosciences Union held May 3-8 in Vienna, Austria, panelists raised questions about the atmospheric impacts of spacecraft launches and re-entries, along with research and policy priorities to promote environmental sustainability for space." spacenews.com/researchers-...

Researchers call for regulations to protect low Earth orbit environment

Researchers call for regulations to protect low Earth orbit environment

spacenews.com

"A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday night. The rocket erupted in a giant fire ball as the engines appeared to be igniting for a pre-launch test known as a static fire." spaceflightnow.com/2026/05/29/b... #Space

"Drag can be useful when it pulls dead hardware out of orbit. It can also be costly when it forces working satellites to spend more propellant maintaining altitude. In a mega-constellation era, [it] can act as both a cleanup mechanism and an operational stress test." spacedaily.com/sd-a-36-year...

A 36-year sweep of orbital debris has found the solar threshold where Earth’s upper atmosphere starts pulling space junk down faster, just as mega-constellations crowd low orbit

Solar Cycle 25 has already reached its solar maximum period, and a new long-term study of orbital debris points to a practical warning for the satellite age: once sunspot numbers climb past roughly tw...

spacedaily.com

"Beginning in 2022, China launched 64 rockets and last year reached a record total of 93. However there is an issue with these launches, as China appears to be ignoring long-established norms about disposing of the upper stages of rockets." arstechnica.com/space/2026/0... #SpaceEnvironment

Analyst on China's spent rocket stages: "Things only continue to get worse"

Spent upper stages are the most dangerous kind of space debris.

arstechnica.com

"Missing data is a problem for scientists trying to explain the Earth's climate to politicians and business leaders who make decisions on what to do about climate change. 'Things will get worse before they get better,' said the NASA scientists in [a] 2018 report." www.space.com/space-explor...

Space debris is forcing satellites to dodge more often — costing us vital science. 'Things will get worse before they get better'

"Each time a satellite has to maneuver to avoid a potential collision, it uses fuel which is a finite and precious resource."

space.com

On Tuesday, the academies of sciences from the G7 countries met in Paris. Among the resulting declarations: ‘Large Satellite Constellations: Perspectives and Challenges’. It calls for establishing an @itu.int-like org to govern space as a common good. PDF: www.academie-sciences.fr/sites/defaul...