this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2023
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Astronomy

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Throw enough glittering trash into orbit and your "can't stay earthbound forever" platitudes become self-defeating because at some point nothing could be safely launched.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The satellite constellations are in LEO. Kessler syndrome is literally not possible at that altitude.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I already knew that; my point was that letting your euphorically under-regulated corporate saviors do whatever they please (which can and probably will include higher orbit satellite junk later on) under pretenses of pretentious "reach the stars" platitudes is interfering with actual contemporary scientific inquiry, right now.

The pollution of each launch is significant, and the benefit of the janky low orbit network is questionable (except to the US military), especially because it requires constant additional launches.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

but have you considered that this under-regulated shlock allows for ~~command and control in warzones across the world~~ shitty internet service in "remote areas"