Linda EnfieldJun 6, 2023
Prof. Sam Lawler

I had to find a couple of papers for one of my students to review and I just looked at all the new papers on satellite observations and predictions for satellite pollution and now I am super depressed.

What's currently playing out in Low Earth Orbit is the worst parts of capitalism, on fast-forward (literally at several km/s if you want to get technical...) It's so bad. Orbit needs strong, international regulation 20 years ago.

Jun 5, 2023 at 8:11pmWeb
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerJun 6, 2023
I just dug up a presentation from almost exactly 2 years ago and it says "almost 1,500 Starlinks in orbit" and that just makes me want to cry. Because today there are more than 4200. Including a batch launched yesterday. This is so stupid.
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerJun 6, 2023
I just had a chat with a filmmaker who is making a documentary about Boca Chica TX and our shifting baselines, specifically for the night sky. His film is going to be amazing, and maybe will make a difference by telling loads of people what's happening in orbit (and on the ground). I feel a bit more hopeful!
Show threadiantoJun 6, 2023
@sundogplanets we need the deets! Where and when?
Show thread๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ haxadecimal ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿ‘‘Jun 6, 2023
@sundogplanets It's like building a miniature Dyson sphere.
:-(
Show threadDouglas Phillips BooksJun 6, 2023
@sundogplanets 4200 precious Earth orbits consumed with no fees, few restrictions, for the financial benefit of a billionaire, and at the cost of everyone else.
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerJun 6, 2023
@dpscifi ๐Ÿ˜ญ
Show threadCoach Pฤแน‡ini ยฎJun 10, 2023

@sundogplanets Is 4,200 low-orbit satellites enough material - thatโ€™s already in space - to build a Death Star?

Asking for a friend.

Show threadDouglas Phillips BooksJun 5, 2023
@sundogplanets who in govt (Canada and US) could spearhead this effort? It can't just be astronomers. I only know of two who are knowledgeable & sympathetic in the US: Tammy Duckworth and Kamala Harris and even they don't consider intl orbital agreements to be high priority.
Show threadCykonotJun 6, 2023

@sundogplanets here I talk briefly about the lack of any such framework.

I do not mention ozone layer damage or other atmospheric effects, though those are significant.
https://mas.to/@cykonot/109892436032287499

Cykonot (@[email protected])

Currently, plans exist to deploy multiple satellite broadband constellations (eg: Starlink, Project Kuiper, the EU sovereign constellation, etc). Many of these have overlapping service areas and will compete for terrestrial market share, orbital space, and spectrum. The space as a whole is poorly regulated, a patchwork of primarily national policies. While the residency time for lower orbits should mitigate some #KesslerSyndrome risk, international regulatory frameworks to prevent destructive//

mas.to
Show thread๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ haxadecimal ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿ‘‘Jun 6, 2023
@sundogplanets
Why should we look at the rest of the universe? What has the rest of the universe ever done for us?
โ€“ satellite company executives, probably
Show threadAntti Peltola โ‚Jun 6, 2023
@sundogplanets
Tragedy of the commons in low Earth orbit.
Show threadJennifer Kayla | Theogrin ๐ŸฆŠJun 6, 2023

@sundogplanets

Without some massive intervention we're going to hit a Kessler cascade. Not any ifs, ands or buts. And in so doing, Musk'll render the entirety of LEO functionally unusable for pretty much everyone. Like having satellite radio and high-end GPS on your everything? Too bad, sucks to be you, time to go back to paper maps and FM.

Show threadllewellyJun 6, 2023
@sundogplanets with spacex, starlink, space weapons testing, and now amazon, we're speeding towards the Kessler Syndrome faster than the Millennium Falcon. : (