The Satellite Industry Boom Is Driving an ‘Untested Geoengineering Experiment,’ Scientists Warn
The satellite industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with companies like SpaceX planning to launch millions of new satellites. A recent study indicates that the pollution from these megaconstellations could significantly impact the climate, particularly through the release of black carbon. Researchers are calling for a better assessment of the environmental effects as the industry expands rapidly.
- ▪SpaceX has applied for permission to launch 1 million additional Starlink satellites, adding to the 10,000 already in orbit.
- ▪A study published in Earth’s Future suggests that air pollution from megaconstellations could account for nearly half of the climate impact from the space sector by the end of the decade.
- ▪The commercial satellite industry generated 71% of the world's space business revenue in 2025, with a record number of 4,434 satellites launched in 2024.
Gizmodo files mainly under tech. We currently carry 497 of its stories.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Companies are launching more satellites into space than ever before, and the industry’s biggest players have no intention of slowing down. SpaceX, the owner-operator of the world’s largest satellite constellation, recently applied for permission to launch 1 million Starlinks—on top of the 10,000 already in orbit.cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({"playerId":"92b7b46b-43ed-4e0e-b21b-2c999302d9d7","settings":{"advertising":{"macros":{"AD_UNIT":"/23178111854/od.gizmodo.com/article","CHILD_UNIT":"article","POST_ID":"2000760031","POST_TYPE":"post","CHANNEL":"science","SECTION":"space","SUBSECTION":"","CATEGORIES":"space","TAGS":"air-pollution,climate-change,geoengineering,global-warming","NOP":"0"},"timeBeforeFirstAd":0}}}).render("cnx-player-main")}); Scientists have scrutinized Starlink and other…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Gizmodo.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Gizmodo
