jo lang uste fontsMar 6
Prof. Sam Lawler

Reflect Orbital wants to destroy the night sky to deliver "sunlight as a service". SpaceX wants to destroy Low Earth Orbit to launch one million "AI datacentres"

The only way to formally protest these two ideas is to file a comment with the US FCC, which is horribly complicated, but the American Astronomical Society has detailed instructions posted here: https://aas.org/posts/advocacy/2026/02/how-submit-comments-satellite-applications-fcc

Comments due March 6 for SpaceX and March 9 for Reflect Orbital. Write! Write! Write!

Feb 11 at 7:52pmWeb
Show threadriverFeb 11
@sundogplanets can I share this outside of mastodon?
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerFeb 11
@river yes, share far and wide
Show threadMr.Mark "The Sharpie King"Feb 11
@sundogplanets @river
Happy to share this, do you have any more info about the reflect plan? This sounds as bad as the Russian company that’s planning on running advertisements in space.
Show threadOlsonFeb 11

@markmetz @sundogplanets @river

What?!? Who is gonna see them?

I’m glad I’m old.

Show threadMr.Mark "The Sharpie King"Feb 11
@Olson @sundogplanets @river
The idea is that we all will, and we won’t have a choice.
Show threadJulesceltFeb 11
@markmetz @Olson @sundogplanets @river This! Refelct Orbital did not ask the 8+ billion people living on this rock if we wanted "sunlight as a service". Just typing that makes me want to lol.
Show threadOlsonFeb 15

@julescelt01 @markmetz @sundogplanets @river

A few months ago, someone tooted a pic of a Canadian farmer looking at the rubbish of a satellite which fell from the sky. If I recall correctly, an old wooden barn was in the pic. Do we really need this?

Show threadFrank HeijkampMar 6

@Olson
They will take another picture without the barn in shot. ;-)

I know, that was not the point you were making. Agreed, space junk falling down is a very bad thing and should be stopped. I urge people to stop using any service that uses satellites in Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). Stop using services like #starlink as it is far more polluting than you think.
@julescelt01 @markmetz @sundogplanets @river

Show threadNichol BrummerMar 6
@alterelefant @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @sundogplanets @river low earth orbit has the advantage that junk will slowly fall, mostly burn up. Kessler syndrome might auto-reduce after it kicks in..
Show threadFrank HeijkampMar 6
@Nichol
The fact that the mess in Lower Earth Orbit will clean itself up does however result in a lot of pollution in the upper atmosphere. We do not know enough about the long term effects this has on our atmosphere. Therefore my point of view is to not launch so many things into LEO.
@Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @sundogplanets @river
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerMar 6
@alterelefant @Nichol @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @river The timescale for stuff to fall into the atmosphere depends strongly on altitude (but also on shape/mass of the debris). 350 km days-weeks, 550km years-decades, 800 km decades-centuries. Also I hate saying "cleaned up" when it's actually just burning up in the atmosphere and adding to serious atmospheric pollution problems.
Show threadFrank HeijkampMar 7
@sundogplanets
Those Starlink satellites are at an altitude of around 450 if I am not mistaken. Therefore they will definitely return from orbit after their service life has ended. Whilst falling down the debris will pollute the upper atmosphere. We just don't know what the effects are of tens of thousands of satellites burning up that high. The smoke it releases could have serious long term conveniences.
@Nichol @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @river
Show threadFrank HeijkampMar 7
@sundogplanets
Geven that all remains of the satellite burn up during reentry. Some fragments could still reach Earth's surface and cause damage in that way.
@Nichol @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @river
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerMar 7
@alterelefant @Nichol @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @river Here, read one of the many research articles I wrote about this, you don't need to explain this to me, I am actually an expert on this: https://theconversation.com/a-new-space-race-could-turn-our-atmosphere-into-a-crematorium-for-satellites-276366
A new space race could turn our atmosphere into a ‘crematorium for satellites’

Planned ‘megaconstellations’ of satellites could cause unforeseen harm to the ozone layer and climate systems. Global regulation is needed before it’s too late.

The Conversation
Show threadFrank HeijkampMar 7
@sundogplanets
Thank you for speaking out. The pollution by re-entering Starlink satellites must be stopped. Or any other mass deployment of satellites in LEO for that matter.
@Nichol @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @river
Show threadNichol BrummerMar 7

@alterelefant @sundogplanets @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @river I'm not convinced that we can ignore the risks of Kessler syndrome. That could end most lowish and higher satellite activity. Including earth observation for climate and envirinment, and GPS.

Starlink is a spectacular cellular network in space. But it may well spectacularly end the all actually useful satellites.

Pollution is also bad, but not a fraction of the pollution we produce at earth level.. is my guess.

Show threadFrank HeijkampMar 7

@Nichol
A possible Kessler Syndrome is definitely an issue. LEO is however close to earth and things will de-orbit within months or several years. It will 'mostly' clean itself up.

Pollution on earth happens mostly in the lower parts of the atmosphere. We don't know enough about the long-term effects of pollution in the upper atmosphere. I am not an expert on this topic but other people here know all the ins and outs.
@sundogplanets @Olson @julescelt01 @markmetz @river

Show threadFrank HeijkampMar 6
@julescelt01
A Sunlight Service, ASS.
@markmetz @Olson @sundogplanets @river
Show threadpelhaFeb 12
@Olson @markmetz @sundogplanets @river this is all making reincarnation look like a bad idea 😣
Show threadlegocasFeb 11
@sundogplanets this is quite outrageous. How is it possible that everything in there public domain / commons seems to be up for grabs instead being protected for its cultural and natural value. Can’t believe this stuff.
Show threadL'égrégore André ꕭꕬFeb 11
@legocas @sundogplanets There's a small number of people who, if someone says "this belongs to all of us," will refuse to understand it and just goes "okay, it's mine, so I can do whatever I want with it".
Unfortunately they have an outsized influence in our society.
Show threadlegocasFeb 12
@Mabande @sundogplanets they dont understand that its a small planet and life can be better if we share it.
Show threadTony MeredithFeb 11
@sundogplanets Plus. It's open for comments worldwide. Right?
Show threadL'égrégore André ꕭꕬFeb 11
@Tony_Meredith Yes: "This process is also open to those outside the United States who may be impacted by a proposed system."
Show threadPetra van CronenburgFeb 12
@Tony_Meredith well, space doesn't belong to the USA! @sundogplanets
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerFeb 12
@NatureMC @Tony_Meredith Yes, anyone can submit a comment!
Show threadCarolynFeb 11
@sundogplanets Aside from the whole night sky thing, there are going to be ecological damage done by this. Lots of flora and fauna need dark and light cycles. :(
Show threadMimiWhiskersFeb 11

@sundogplanets It makes zero sense to launch datacenters in space. I ain't gonna go through the technical reasons why, but you can read here where someone that actually worked at NASA and google explaining why its a bad idea... https://taranis.ie/datacenters-in-space-are-a-terrible-horrible-no-good-idea/

But if I could take a moment to poke my conspiracy brain, I think this is more for building an advanced surveillance network against the whole world. You can possibly monitor almost everything on Earth with a network like that.

Datacenters in space are a terrible, horrible, no good idea.

There is a rush for AI companies to team up with space launch/satellite companies to build datacenters in space. TL;DR: It's not going to work.

Taranis
Show threadMichael KohneFeb 11
@MimiWhiskers @sundogplanets I believe that it's just a stupid idea, intended to inflate the stock price for the intended upcoming IPO of SpaceX. There is no serious intent to actually launch much of anything.
Show threadfraggleFeb 12
@MimiWhiskers @sundogplanets thank you, glad to see that someone who's an expert has written a thorough debunk. It was obvious to me that it was a terrible idea just because of the cooling but it's great to see all the other reasons laid out clearly too
Show threadMay Keable 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Feb 11
@sundogplanets Are they really Mr Burns-ing it?
Show threadTilda Moose, programmerFeb 11
@sundogplanets
AMEN AMEN AMEN
ACT UP
May be considered as #ecocide, I wonder
Stop the bastards messing with the natural order
Show threadNonya BidnissFeb 11
@sundogplanets How is it that U.S. companies get to destroy space for the entire Earth?
Show threadEpic NullFeb 11
@Nonya_Bidniss @sundogplanets No one is stopping us. (please change that)
Show threadundead enby of the apocalypseFeb 11
@sundogplanets that sounds like something that would’ve sounded so far-fetched it’s cartoonish if it was a thing in a scifi story a few years ago. It sounds like something that would still be if it appeared in a scifi story today. I hate this timeline. Dystopian media should not be an instruction manual.
Show threadferricoxideFeb 11
@sundogplanets
LEO "datacenters" make zero sense, even less sense than persistent orbit space-based datacenters would.
Show threaddiana 🏳️‍⚧️🦋🌱Feb 11

@sundogplanets

Sunlight as a Service from space, aka death ray upon demand. Vaporize entire neighborhoods with a small political donation.

Show threadBob Blaskiewicz 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 🇬🇱Feb 11
@sundogplanets on it!
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦Feb 11
@sundogplanets @mayintoronto how does the US government get to make this call, for globe-encircling tech?
Show threadChristo. London, EnglandFeb 11
@sundogplanets
I wish we could just throw the people pushing these things , in jail
Show threadBrian JohnsonFeb 11

@sundogplanets Ok, so launching one satellite every 10 minutes nonstop would take almost 20 years to launch a million satellites, and that is assuming that someone can build them and deliver them to launch pads at that rate.

Completely unrealistic. Is this really about launching that much or is it about generating hype before trying to sell something or raise money?

Show threadJulesceltFeb 11
@BrianJohnson @sundogplanets Feels so much like the latter...
Show threadEmil "AngryAnt" JohansenFeb 12

@BrianJohnson @sundogplanets Odds definitely say that a million AI datacenters in orbit is just more fragile ego twitter trolling for shareholders.

However playing with the numbers conservatively, using the 2025 SpaceX launch numbers (down from initial targets) and assuming starlink sattellites get retooled (or just rebranded) as "AI datacenters" for twitter/shareholder creds, SpaceX would need 125 years to launch 1mill units. 62.5 years if using Starship.

Plenty damage early on "for the lols"

Show threadAngela ScholderFeb 11
@sundogplanets Nice! "Incompatible browser extensions or Network configuration".
Show threadSina G.Feb 11
@sundogplanets is this a real concern?
Show threadSophie HassfurtherFeb 12
@Prof. Sam Lawler comments for US citizens only or worldwide?
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerFeb 12
@sophie worldwide
Show threads0 Is Not A SysadminFeb 12
@sundogplanets telling my 1920s time travel companion that in 2026 the capitalists aren’t trying to privatise the night sky — they’re trying to destroy it, for imaginary gains to their bad mechanical Turk.
Show threadcroutonFeb 12
@sundogplanets i can't shake the image of a pacman in orbit nomming on satellites
Show threadLunaphiedFeb 12
@sundogplanets the fact that any country is just allowed to do this is so fucked
Show threadcynthia rose is desirableFeb 12
@sundogplanets
When burning ants alive with a magnifying glass makes you wish you could hear the screams….. cartoonish supervillainy shit right here, jfc
Show threadpersistentdreamergamesFeb 12
@sundogplanets I can't believe this is actually fucking real.
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerFeb 12
@PersistentDreamer I know 😭
Show threadIncident Creator ❎Feb 12
@sundogplanets
You just wait until Elon figures he wants a hand in space-based beamed power...
Show threadKai Rüsberg Feb 12
@sundogplanets is it open to foreigners? I don't see that they are asking for an address?
Show threadWe don't need AI. AI needs us.Feb 12
@sundogplanets
Building a giant slingshot do you think can work?
Show threadJohn Carlsen 🇺🇸🇳🇱🇪🇺Feb 12

@sundogplanets

At first I had read the company's name as Rectal Orbit.

Show threadLuci Bitchface AngerfootFeb 12
@sundogplanets literal supervillain shit
Show threadErikaFeb 12
@sundogplanets Maybe @georgetakei is also interested in our night sky and could help to spread this important information?
Show threadDeuchnordFeb 12
@sundogplanets just discovered about this Reflect Orbital thing. What the hell?!