Space Ecosystem in Peril as Thousands of Satellites Orbit Earth, Scientists Say

sun

ATTENTION: Major social media outlets are finding ways to block the conservative/evangelical viewpoint. Click here for daily electronic delivery of the day's top blogs from Virginia Christian Alliance.

A collective of 11 astrophysicists and space scientists, citing thousands of satellites orbiting the earth and new ones being launched at a “dizzying pace,” warned it’s time to think of space as part of an interconnected system of living things. 

Artificial satellites, thousands of which now clutter low Earth orbit, have essentially become an invasive species.

By Thomas Lewton

Outer space isn’t what most people would think of as an ecosystem. Its barren and frigid void isn’t exactly akin to the verdant canopies of a rainforest or to the iridescent shoals that swim among coral cities.

But if we are to become better stewards of the increasingly frenzied band of orbital space above our atmosphere, a shift to thinking of it as an ecosystem — as part of an interconnected system of living things interacting with their physical environment — may be just what we need.


We would appreciate your donation.

Last month, in the journal Nature Astronomy, a collective of 11 astrophysicists and space scientists proposed we do just that, citing the proliferation of anthropogenic space objects.

Thousands of satellites currently orbit the Earth, with commercial internet providers such as SpaceX’s Starlink launching new ones at a dizzying pace.

Based on proposals for projects in the future, the authors note, the number could reach more than a hundred thousand within the decade.

Artificial satellites, long a vital part of the space ecosystem, have arguably become an invasive species.

CONTINUE TO FULL POST ON UNDARK

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views the Virginia Christian Alliance

About the Author

Virginia Christian Alliance
The mission of the VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE is to promote moral, social and scientific issues we face today from a Biblical point of view. In addition we will refute and oppose, not with hate, but with facts and humor, the secular cultural abuses that have overridden laws and standards of conduct of the past. We will encourage Christians to participate in these efforts through conferences, development of position papers, booklets and tracts, radio/TV spots, newspaper ads and articles and letters-to-the editor, web sites, newsletters and providing speakers for church and civic meetings.