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The impact of satellite constellations on space as an ancestral global commons

Nature Astronomy volume 4, pages 1043–1048 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Near-Earth space is becoming increasingly privatized, with the number of satellites in low-Earth orbits predicted to grow dramatically from about 2,000 at present to over 100,000 in the next decade due to the launch of planned satellite constellations. In addition to their direct impact on astronomy, the manner and pace of ‘occupying’ near-Earth space raises the risk of repeating the mistakes of colonization on a cosmic scale. We must consider the impact of satellite constellations, and related future initiatives, on the essential human right to dark skies and on cultural sky traditions across all peoples. We must also include all stakeholders for near-Earth space in the process of developing new policies for space treaties and planetary protection, the consequences of which will reach far beyond this century. We advocate for a radical shift in the policy framework of international regulatory bodies towards the view of space as an ancestral global commons that contains the heritage and future of humanity’s scientific and cultural practices.

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Fig. 1: A view of the dusk sky over a sunflower farm in southern Brazil captures a number of passing Starlink satellites.

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Acknowledgements

We dedicate this piece to the shared wealth of space as an ancestral global commons for humanity’s scientific and cultural achievements and legacy. We express our profound gratitude to K. Krafton (AAS Bahcall Public Policy Fellow) whose invaluable expertise and around-the-clock availability for our questions were critical for this work. A.V. gratefully acknowledges her deeply sustaining work-life ecosystem, including her ancestors and her team of collaborators who model transformative partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems: I. Hawkins, N. Maryboy, D. Begay, K. Kimura, L. Peticolas, A. Burgasser, D. Simons, A. Lee, L. Kimura, C. Baybayan, R. Wolfgramm, T. Wolfgramm, W. Kingi, C. Spiller, W. Barreno and J. Mucia. They have patiently taught and trusted her with their knowledge-keeping—their wisdom and stories are her medicine.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the authors’ employers, or any other organization, agency, committee or other group or individual.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Aparna Venkatesan

  2. Department of Astronomy, Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA

    James Lowenthal

  3. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA

    Parvathy Prem

  4. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA

    Monica Vidaurri

  5. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

    Monica Vidaurri

Authors
  1. Aparna Venkatesan
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  2. James Lowenthal
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  3. Parvathy Prem
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  4. Monica Vidaurri
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Correspondence to Aparna Venkatesan.

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Supplementary Video

A timelapse video of the dawn skies over the Gemini Observatory on the summit of Maunakea, Hawai‘i in November 2019, showing passing Starlink satellites. Credit: INTERNATIONAL GEMINI OBSERVATORY/NOIRLAB/NSF/AURA.

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Venkatesan, A., Lowenthal, J., Prem, P. et al. The impact of satellite constellations on space as an ancestral global commons. Nat Astron 4, 1043–1048 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-020-01238-3

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