Scientists and environmental groups warn that proposed orbital datacenters could create a "Saturn's ring" of satellites, potentially disrupting Earth's atmosphere and astronomy.

Experts warn that the proliferation of orbital datacenters and space mirrors could fundamentally alter the night sky, creating a luminous "Saturn's ring" of satellites. This phenomenon, caused by millions of proposed spacecraft orbiting in the same plane, would outshine most stars and planets, potentially making traditional astronomy difficult. The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Earthjustice, and DarkSky International submitted a petition to the FCC demanding a review of these projects. They argue that the current plans lack sufficient detail regarding environmental impacts, such as ozone layer destruction, light pollution, and the accumulation of black soot and metals in the stratosphere. While tech companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin view orbital computing as a way to reduce ground-based cooling and power costs, astronomers fear the "ring" will make taxpayer-funded telescopes less effective. The FCC recently granted a license to Reflect Orbital for a mirror constellation, despite criticism from the American Astronomical Society. The AAS warned that these mirrors could cause permanent eye damage and flash-blind pilots, urging the FCC to consider the broader impacts of satellite use cases.

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