Starlink Expansion Sparks Warnings of Space Debris, Atmospheric Impact
TL;DR Summary
The FCC approved 7,500 more Starlink satellites, bringing the constellation to about 15,000 by 2031, but scientists warn this could heighten collision risk in crowded orbits, trigger space-debris concerns (including sub-10 cm fragments), and alter the stratosphere with more aluminum oxide from deorbiting, while solar storms pose additional lower-orbit risks—even as officials emphasize faster broadband and economic benefits.
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- The Chinese satellites SpaceX says were on collision course with Starlink South China Morning Post
- SpaceX’s Starlink dodged 300,000 satellite collisions in 2025 New Scientist
- I Spoke to Astrophysicists About Starlink’s Expansion: The Doomsday Scenario Keeping Them Up at Night vocal.media
- Defending against Kessler Syndrome with Space Armor Engineering.com
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