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US firm plans 50,000 mirror satellites to illuminate Earth's night side

Researchers identify multiple hazards: orbital congestion, space debris, light pollution

Space experts and astronomers publish analysis showing sun-synchronous orbit is already overcrowded with Earth observation satellites, raising collision risk and space debris concerns. The large satellite surfaces will require constant fuel to maintain orbit or will decay and burn up, polluting the atmosphere. Laser physicist Andreas Jechow warns artificial night-time illumination represents a massive alteration of Earth's day-night cycle affecting wildlife dependent on circadian rhythms.

Researchers identify multiple hazards: orbital congestion, space debris, light pollution
tagesschau.de

“Die künstliche Aufhellung der Erde bei Nacht eine massive Veränderung der Lebensbedingungen bedeute. Viele Tierarten sind an den Wechsel von Tag und Nacht…”

Andreas Jechow

Reflect Orbital Company proposing mirror satellite constellationEnrico Stoll Space expert, TU BerlinAndreas Jechow Laser physicist, Technische Hochschule BrandenburgEuropean Southern Observatory (Garching) Research institutionSlovak Academy of Sciences Research institution

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