Reacción a "A study warns of the impact that satellite megaconstellations will have on images from space telescopes such as Hubble"

In recent years, mega-constellations of satellites have been a concern for the scientific community, among other reasons because satellites, when crossing the field of view of telescopes, can spoil astronomical observations. Those of us who often gaze at the night sky have observed with concern in recent years a scandalous increase in the number of satellites that can be seen constantly with the naked eye. Some techno-optimists have proposed, not without a certain cynicism, that the solution will be to move astronomical observations completely into space, generalising space observatories such as the famous Hubble or the more recently launched JWST.

This study systematically quantifies for the first time the effect of satellite megaconstellations on space observatories (an effect that was already known) and shows that they will be a very serious problem for some of the major observatories currently being planned.

Although the study proposes some solutions to mitigate these effects, such as raising the orbit of astronomical observatories to separate them from megaconstellations, the authors are aware that such solutions are merely patches that do not address the whole problem or its root causes.

In addition to threatening astronomical observations, megaconstellations degrade the cultural heritage that is the night sky; they endanger the peaceful and common use of space by increasing the risk of Kessler syndrome; they involve a high number of rocket launches and space debris disintegrations, with their consequent impact on the ozone layer and climate change; etc. The problem with satellite megaconstellations is, like other problems of our civilisation (the climate, eco-social and resource crises, the drift towards war, etc.), simply a symptom of a socio-economic system out of control which, with its irrational desire for growth towards nowhere, is dragging us towards collapse.

The excessive power of megacorporations and the unwillingness of the imperialist powers of the global North to negotiate are blocking the development of international agreements and regulations that would enable the rational and fair use of space for the whole of humanity. As a result, the number of satellites planned for deployment is simply unsustainable, and there is no coordination or planning to meet the needs. The deployment of mega-constellations is responding to particular interests and competition between mega-corporations and states.

The solution lies in a real democratisation of space. This implies, among other things, that decisions are multilateral, transparent and open to international civil society, rather than being taken behind the backs of citizens and at the mercy of particular states and companies. We should ask ourselves: What services can mega-constellations offer us? Which of these services are truly desirable and useful for the general well-being in the context of the climate and ecological crisis? Do we want to have mega-constellations of satellites? And if so, how can we implement these services fairly and efficiently at the global level?