The FACT:

Starlink is a satellite constellation constructed by SpaceX to provide worldwide access to the Internet. SpaceX has received the approval of the U.S. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to deploy 12.000 satellites and asked the permission for 30.000 more in the coming years.

The IMPACT:

These satellites, orbiting at an altitude between 340km (210 miles) and 1150km (715 miles), represent a serious threat for astronomers, astrophotographers and radio astronomers all around the world. They will shine in the night sky and will look like continuous, bright stripes. It will be difficult or impossible for astronomers to remove them from scientific images and they will eventually degrade our capability to observe the Universe from Earth.  

They represent a new source of pollution, more dangerous and annoying than that generated by the lights of our cities. Indeed, it won't be sufficient to go outside urban areas to get rid of them. They will be ubiquitous and their presence will be more visible in the dark skies. 

Since SpaceX is not the only company involved in this business, concerns have been also raised on the risk of collisions with other orbiting objects. This would generate new space debris, making more and more difficult the access to the outer space.

The GOAL:

Let's show SpaceX and Elon Musk that we care about the environment. Ideals and technology development are important aspects of our lives. We cannot renounce to them. However, they cannot always be obtained by degrading our environment or consuming its resources. 

Let's ask SpaceX and Elon Musk to develop technical solutions that take into account the needs of scientists and all those who want to contemplate an uncontaminated night sky, as it was when humanity moved the first steps on Earth.

Let's ask the FCC to seriously take into account environmental aspects while considering new authorisations.

Let's ask the U.S. Government to respect the Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and avoid "harmful contamination and adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from introduction of extraterrestrial matter and, where necessary, [...] adopt appropriate measures for this purpose".