Prof. Sam LawlerMar 4

RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/116053742685475452

Deadlines for comments on a million SpaceX "AI data centers" and a company that wants to deliver "sunlight as a service" are coming up soon. If you have time and energy, please write a comment! Instructions below.

(I heard a rumour that Reflect Orbital is on-track to have the most comments on an FCC filing ever. Seems like a good goal to beat the record writing responses to this incredibly fucking stupid idea)

Also instructions here: https://darksky.org/news/two-satellite-proposals-threaten-the-night-sky-the-window-to-act-is-now/

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerMar 6
I helped write and edit comments that were submitted by multiple organizations that I'm a member of about SpaceX's fucking stupid awful million sat filing, but I haven't submitted my own yet. After a week of emotionally grueling (but incredibly important) work supporting a good friend, battling the FCC submission process doesn't sound so bad anymore!
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerMar 6

Ok well another Starlink just reentered over Canada. So yeah. Definitely writing this now.

Time to live-toot an FCC submission while completely exhausted, but also watching a pleasant anime with friends and family!

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerMar 6

Step 1: make a pdf. I think I'm going to mash together these two articles that I co-authored in the last couple weeks about very stupid things happening in orbit with huge consequences.

https://theconversation.com/too-many-satellites-earths-orbit-is-on-track-for-a-catastrophe-but-we-can-stop-it-275430

https://theconversation.com/a-new-space-race-could-turn-our-atmosphere-into-a-crematorium-for-satellites-276366

Unfortunately this'll require a bit of work because the different ways of doing citations. Or maybe I'll just leave the links in? I am pretty far beyond caring about formatting.

Too many satellites? Earth’s orbit is on track for a catastrophe – but we can stop it

Cultural, spiritual, and most environmental impacts aren’t taken into account when launching thousands of satellites.

The Conversation
Show threadProf. Sam LawlerMar 6

Ok that took a little longer than I thought. Do I want it to be on letterhead? Will my university be annoyed? I *am* writing as part of my job as a researcher who requires access to dark skies, but I am not writing on behalf of my university. Will go with blank background for this one.

Now working my way through the instructions here: https://aas.org/posts/advocacy/2026/02/how-submit-comments-satellite-applications-fcc

I already have a Cores account, signed in and clicking on things...

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerMar 6

Submitted!

I am an astronomer who has asked nicely for years for SpaceX to be safer in orbit, think about ways to use fewer satellites, think about the consequences of burning up so many satellites, and think about ways to make their satellites darker. This filing proposing a million satellites is a clear "fuck you" from SpaceX to the entire astronomy community, as well as the entire planet.

So, fuck you, too, SpaceX!

Show threadMikeHMar 6
@sundogplanets Is the above the text of your submission?
Show threadProf. Sam Lawler
@MikeH No, I save up all my swear words for social media :)
Mar 6 at 5:54pmWeb