Arabic version: العلماء يحذرون من مخاطر صحية بسبب مرايا الأقمار الصناعية المقترحة

Proposals to deploy reflective mirrors and up to 1 million more satellites in low Earth orbit could pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems, according to leading researchers. The concerns stem from plans by the start-up Reflect Orbital to utilize reflective mirrors on satellites to illuminate parts of the Earth at night, alongside SpaceX’s application to launch up to 1 million additional satellites.

According to The Guardian, presidents of four international scientific societies, representing approximately 2,500 researchers from over 30 countries, have expressed their worries in letters to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). They warn that these technologies could disrupt natural light cycles crucial for sleep and biological processes in both humans and wildlife.

The proposed satellite systems are designed to redirect sunlight onto specific areas, with brightness adjustable from full moonlight to full noon. However, researchers argue that altering the natural night environment could disrupt circadian rhythms, affecting sleep, hormone secretion, and even the migration patterns of nocturnal species. They are urging regulators to conduct thorough environmental reviews and impose limits on satellite reflectivity.

Experts warn that the increase in satellite numbers and their reflective capabilities could lead to a permanent alteration of the night sky, which is essential for various biological systems. The potential for new forms of light pollution and its largely unknown consequences raises serious public safety concerns, as beams from these satellites could create blinding flashes if systems malfunction.

As satellite launches continue to increase, researchers emphasize the need for careful consideration of the implications these technologies may have on ecosystems and human health. The call for action includes treating the alteration of the night sky with the same seriousness as other significant environmental changes like climate change.