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Data centres in space could be 'catastrophic' for the planet, scientsts have warned in response to plans laid out by some of the world's richest people.
Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin are just two of the companies looking at launching data centres into orbit.
These firms claim there are several advantages to space data centres – including free, limitless power from the sun, and cheap operating costs.
However, not everyone agrees.
A coalition of scientists, represented by Earthjustice, is petitioning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a 'comprehensive review' on the environmental risks of space data centres.
They say putting millions of satellites into orbit could change our atmosphere, disturb wildlife, and fundamentally alter our night sky forever.
'Allowing a million orbiting data centers with no environmental review isn't just irresponsible — it's reckless,' warned Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
'The potential for these projects to degrade the atmosphere with pollution and debris and harm wildlife needs to be carefully considered before licensing these projects.'
Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin are just two of the companies looking at launching data centres into orbit
Proponents claim there are several advantages to space data centres – including free, limitless power from the sun, and cheap operating costs (stock image)
Interest in space data centres has surged in recent years.
This is largely thanks to the proliferation of AI, which has driven the need for increased computing storage.
Speaking last year, Jeff Bezos predicted that data centers will be built in space within the next 10 to 20 years, while Elon Musk simply confirmed 'SpaceX will be doing this'.
Putting data centres into orbit solves two key issues, according to supporters – energy and environmental impacts.
Here on Earth, data centres require huge amounts of electricity to run, whereas in space, they'd have more–or–less unlimited energy from the sun.
Meanwhile, ground–based data centres are often slated for the environmental impacts to people living nearby – an issue that, again, would be solved by launching them into space.
In recent months, several companies have sought a license from the FCC to deploy millions of satellites into low–Earth orbit.
But in their new petition, the environmental scientists are calling for the FCC to put its foot on the brakes.
Satellites have several known environmental impacts, which urgently need to be addressed, according to these sceptics.
Rocket launches and re–entries have sky–high emissions associated with them, while they're also known to degrade the ozone layer.
Jan Hasselman, senior attorney at Earthjustice, said: 'Drastically expanding satellites in space has a direct impact on people's everyday lives as well as the future of our planet.
'Agencies that authorize companies looking to space as the next frontier still must operate within the law, and the law requires the FCC to consider all the risks and impacts of these proposals.
'If we have to sue so that they comply, we will.'
The scientists also point out that the light pollution from these space data centres could not only disrupt and harm our wildlife, but also humans.
'These projects could permanently alter the night sky as we know it,' said Ruskin Hartley, executive director of DarkSky International.
'The FCC needs to take seriously its obligation to ensure these projects do not cause unnecessary harm to naturally dark skies, or to our overall environment.'