Dead satellites are filling space with trash. That could affect Earth’s magnetic field | Sierra Solter
Our ozone is pennies thick – and soon we’ll put at least an Eiffel Tower’s worth of metallic ash into the ionosphere every year
A dead spacecraft the size of a truck ignites with plasma and pulverizes into dust and litter as it rips through the ionosphere and atmosphere. This is what happens to internet service satellites during re-entry. When the full mega-constellation of satellites is deployed in the 2030s, companies will do this every hour because satellite internet requires thousands of satellites to constantly be replaced. And it could compromise our atmosphere or even our magnetosphere.
Space entrepreneurs are betting on disposable satellites as key to a new means of wealth. There are currently nearly 10,000 active satellites and companies are working as fast as possible to get tens of thousands more into orbit – for a projected 1m in the next three to four decades.
Sierra Solter is a plasma physicist, engineer, and inventor who studies the intersection of heliophysics and aerospace
Continue reading...Date: |
Filter
-
Could sending an Israeli and an Arab to the moon spark peace on Earth?
Recent events in the Middle East and the reaction to them globally suggest that a joint American-Israeli-Arab mission to the moon is needed now more than ever.The Hill - Politics - Israel -
Supreme Court decision on Idaho abortion ban could affect other states
A case before the U.S. Supreme Court on Idaho's near-total abortion ban could impact what demands the federal government can impose on hospitals in other states. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson breaks down how Moyle v. United States ...CBS News - Top stories - Abortion -
How a Supreme Court Immunity Ruling Could Affect Trump’s Election Case
In arguments on Thursday, the justices appeared to signal two ways they could help Donald Trump as he fights charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election.The New York Times - Top stories - Donald Trump -
Gaza’s 37m tonnes of bomb-filled debris could take 14 years to clear, says expert
Top UN demining official outlines scale of devastation as Egypt officials fly into Israel in attempt to revive ceasefire talks. See all our Israel-Gaza war coverageIsrael’s war in Gaza has created 37m tonnes of debris, much of it laced with ...The Guardian - World -
Power restored to Sierra Leone as minister quits
Yahoo News - World -
WATCH: Trashed: The Secret Life of Plastic Exports
An ABC News investigation involving hidden tracking devices follows three plastic bags dropped off at Walmart recycling bins in the U.S. all the way to controversial plastic facilities in Southeast Asia.ABC News - Top stories -
Nintendo Switch 2 Might Be Using Magnetic Joy-Con Controllers - Report
The Nintendo Switch successor is reportedly using magnetic Joy-Con controllers, and the Joy-Con controllers currently used with the Switch might not be backwards compatible with it.. According to a report from Spanish outlet Vandal (translated by ...GameSpot - Tech -
Exxon, Chevron Earnings Fall Back to Earth
The oil companies are still printing big profits, but their postpandemic run of record earnings is slowing down.The Wall Street Journal - World -
What on earth is going on with Scottish politics?
Humza Yousaf says he won’t resign ahead of a confidence voteBBC News - Top stories -
Japan announces plans to launch upgraded observation satellites
Japan’s space agency says it's planning to launch a major upgrade to its satellite imaging system, as a new flagship rocket is put to the test for a third timeABC News - World - Japan
More from The Guardian
-
Blinken urges Hamas to accept ‘extraordinarily generous’ Israeli ceasefire deal
US secretary of state says Hamas is the ‘only thing standing between people of Gaza and ceasefire’. The US secretary of state has said that “the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire” is Hamas, ahead of what are seen as ...The Guardian - World - Israel -
Columbia issues ultimatum to clear pro-Palestine protest or risk suspension
Talks aimed at having encampment removed voluntarily break down as president insists school won’t bow to divestment demands. Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University have been given an ultimatum to abandon their encampment or risk ...The Guardian - World -
Mining firm BHP offers $25.7bn settlement for Brazil dam disaster
Australian company and its partner Vale unleashed largest spill of mining waste in history. The mining company BHP has said it hopes to secure a $25.7bn (£20bn) settlement over the 2015 Samarco disaster, when the collapse of a dam left at least 19 ...The Guardian - World - Brazil -
Kristi Noem’s story of killing her dog points to class two misdemeanor
South Dakota governor’s account of family dog Cricket killing neighbor’s chickens may be an offence, according to state law. Kristi Noem, the South Dakota governor and Republican vice-presidential hopeful, may have committed a class two ...The Guardian - World -
Von der Leyen criticises European far right for being ‘Putin’s proxies’
Commission president, who is seeking another term, took aim at group that includes AfD and National Rally in pre-election debate. The European Commission’s president, Ursula Von der Leyen, has criticised the far-right as “Putin’s proxies”, while ...The Guardian - World