Orbiting space data centers may face an unexpected hurdle — from environmental politics
- Environmental groups seek broader review before massive satellite constellations receive approval
- More than one million proposed satellites face increased regulatory scrutiny
- FCC is reconsidering satellite environmental review rules
Environmental groups have petitioned federal regulators to pause approval of orbital data center satellite constellations pending a full environmental review process.
Earthjustice recently filed a petition on behalf of DarkSky International, Environment America, and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, known as PEER.
Combined proposals from SpaceX, Starcloud, Blue Origin, and Cowboy Space could place well over a million satellites into low Earth orbit.
Why regulators are being asked to slow down
The petition asks the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement before approving any pending applications currently under review.
Such a review, required under the National Environmental Policy Act, would examine risks, alternatives, costs, and cumulative impacts together across every proposal.
Environmental groups argue the agency's current...
Copyright of this story solely belongs to techradar.com. To see the full text click HERE
