Environmental organizations and space industry experts have filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission opposing plans by major technology companies to establish datacenters in orbit. The proposal, championed by SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other firms, has drawn criticism over anticipated atmospheric pollution and environmental consequences.
Proponents of orbital datacenters have described the projects in expansive terms, but environmental groups argue the companies have declined to conduct meaningful assessments of potential impacts. The petition, submitted by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Earthjustice, and DarkSky International, calls for a pause on licensing decisions until proper environmental reviews are completed. The groups contend that existing federal law requires such assessments before approvals can be granted.
The primary concern centers on atmospheric pollution from spacecraft launches and satellite decomposition. Rockets emit black carbon, nitrogen oxides, and aluminum oxide during launch, while decommissioned satellites release metals as they vaporize in the stratosphere. Scientists discovered in late 2023 that metals were accumulating in stratospheric aerosols, which play a critical role in regulating planetary temperature. The long-term effects of this contamination remain poorly understood, according to researchers.
Additional environmental risks include light pollution from millions of satellites and potential ozone layer damage. Current satellite populations have grown from approximately 1,400 in 2015 to around 15,000, with projections suggesting 100,000 within the decade. Meanwhile, some applications lack adequate environmental mitigation details, with companies offering only general commitments to minimize impacts without specific protocols.
Former federal space officials have expressed skepticism about the datacenters’ feasibility while acknowledging the environmental risks of expanded satellite deployment. The petition argues that technology companies have failed to provide satisfactory explanations for mitigating cumulative environmental harms from potential millions of satellites operating simultaneously in orbit.
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