Experts Propose Assessment to Protect Night Sky for All

The night sky that has guided humanity for millennia could soon look permanently different, but a new proposal offers hope for protecting it while still embracing space innovation.

With 1.23 million satellites proposed for launch in the coming years, astronomers and legal experts have introduced a solution called the Dark Skies Impact Assessment. This systematic evaluation would ensure satellite companies consider cultural, scientific, and environmental impacts before launching massive constellations into orbit.

The timing couldn't be more critical. SpaceX recently filed plans for up to one million satellites, joining roughly 14,000 already in orbit. Current regulations only review technical details like radio frequencies and launch safety, completely missing how hundreds of thousands of bright satellites affect Indigenous ceremonies, scientific research, and our shared view of the cosmos.

Space lawyers Gregory Radisic and Natalie Gillespie designed the assessment to fill this regulatory gap. Their framework would gather evidence from astronomers, atmospheric scientists, environmental researchers, cultural scholars, and affected communities before any constellation gets approved.

The assessment would model cumulative effects like changes to night sky visibility, orbital congestion, and ground casualty risks. It would establish clear criteria for when unobstructed sky access is essential for science, navigation, education, and cultural practices.

This matters because today's children will be the first generation in human history who won't grow up seeing the same night sky their ancestors saw. Satellites reflect sunlight for about two hours after sunset and before sunrise, creating moving points of light that disrupt both telescopes and traditional stargazing.

Indigenous communities face particular concerns since many rely on pristine night skies for longstanding oral traditions, navigation, hunting practices, and spiritual ceremonies. Current approval processes give these communities no voice in decisions that fundamentally alter their cultural heritage.

The proposal also addresses practical safety concerns. Without collision avoidance systems, experts predict a major satellite collision would occur every 3.8 days among the 50,000 pieces of debris already in orbit. More satellites increase the risk of runaway collision chains.

The Bright Side

What makes this proposal inspiring is that it doesn't pit progress against preservation. The Dark Skies Impact Assessment creates a pathway for space innovation that respects everyone's stake in the night sky. Companies could still launch satellites, but they'd need to demonstrate they've minimized harm to astronomy, cultural practices, and environmental systems.

The framework offers something even more valuable: a voice for communities who currently have none. By requiring input from Indigenous groups, amateur astronomers, and cultural scholars, the assessment ensures that decisions about our shared sky aren't made by a handful of regulators reviewing technical specifications.

Several experts across multiple fields already support this approach, recognizing that the current system leaves massive gaps in oversight. The assessment would work at national regulatory levels, making it practical to implement without requiring entirely new international agreements.

This solution shows we can reach for the stars while keeping them visible for everyone who calls Earth home.