Multiple environmental organizations and space industry experts have submitted a petition to the Federal Communications Commission opposing plans by SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other companies to establish orbital datacenters in space. The groups argue that the projects would release substantial quantities of pollutants into the stratosphere and demand a regulatory review before additional licenses are granted.
The proposed datacenter networks would require launching millions of satellites into orbit, according to the petition filed by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Earthjustice, and DarkSky International. Spacecraft and rockets generate emissions including black carbon, nitrogen oxides, aluminum oxide, and rare metals during launch and when they burn up during re-entry. Scientists have expressed concerns that these pollutants could damage the ozone layer, increase ultraviolet radiation exposure, contribute to climate destabilization, and create widespread light pollution that affects nocturnal wildlife.
Research conducted in late 2023 detected metals in the stratosphere’s sulfuric acid aerosols, which play a critical role in regulating planetary temperature and may function as a natural sunscreen. However, the interaction between spacecraft-generated metals and these naturally occurring aerosols remains poorly understood, with limited ongoing research examining the consequences. The number of active satellites in orbit has grown significantly from approximately 1,400 in 2015 to about 15,000 currently, with projections suggesting as many as 100,000 could be orbiting within the decade.
Former federal space officials have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of orbital datacenters while acknowledging the environmental risks posed by deploying millions of additional satellites. The petition argues that the FCC applications submitted by various companies fail to provide adequate environmental impact assessments and lack meaningful mitigation strategies. Companies like SpaceX reference vague commitments to brightness reduction, while others provide minimal environmental consideration in their proposals. The petition contends that federal law requires comprehensive evaluation of these projects’ impacts before approval.
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