Some experts have already criticized the swift growth of satellite internet services out of anxiety that those operations might disrupt Earth’s magnetic field. If we look at approximately 10,000 satellites in orbit, which is expected in the near future, one of the most obvious repercussions of this industry boom is already clear.
Plasma physicist Sierra Solter, after his extensive research, talks about a lot of dust and soot being brought into the ionospheric and magnetospheric layers of the Earth’s atmosphere by the burning satellites. These participants are from a satellite’s decomposition, fragments of which may be dangerous for the Earth’s magnetic field as they can reduce its power or, as a result weaken the magnetic field.
An analysis by Dr. Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics suggests that the total of satellites may increase from the current million to 100 thousand in the next 10-15 years. Such very high-orbit satellites will provide the basis for future internet services that not only connect but hyper-connect users anywhere in the world. On the other hand, there is worry about the effect to the environment as, in doing so, the billionaires may turn into trillionaires but it will result in debris, a cloud of space junk, that can deleteriously impact the safety of Earth.
The Earth’s magnetic field plays an impeccable protective role in protecting the planet from rays of the sun and other outer space radiation and maintaining the atmosphere. Solter highlights that the constellation of space debris already has among the observable first-hand signs of electrical induction caused by human action.
The perspective of the known magnetosphere will be significantly influenced when it is subjected to thousands of satellite launches. This emphasizes the necessity of conducting more research on the impact of such satellites on the magnetosphere. Therefore, she encourages detailed environmental impact studies as a prerequisite for any satellite launch while holding satellite companies accountable.
Solter’s call to action is clear: Before worrying about diminishing the Earth with the magnetic field enlargement of satellite internet, the study must be complete. Detailed information is critical, and this sets the tone for companies to show that any activity is not detrimental to the stratosphere and magnetosphere.
The unfolding satellite internet argument has drawn responses from experts and all interested parties who patiently await further research on the consequences for Earth’s magnetic field and the well-being of the environment to determine the actions to take on the expanding industry.
