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No, we actually do lose the night sky as we understand it and have understood it for generations. That literally is a thing. No, there are many scientific inst
by sklargh 5y ago
No, we actually do lose the night sky as we understand it and have understood it for generations. That literally is a thing.
No, there are many scientific instruments, basic optical telescopes, advanced observatories to NEO detection tools that will be affected (see article). The costs of placing telescopes in orbit is exceptionally high relative to constructing them on the ground, so again, no optical astronomy is going to experience a significantly higher cost of operations.
Yes, few people will notice. Few people noticed when we poisoned rivers with PCBs or approved the demolition of Penn Station. There is an aesthetic, social and practical value that is lost when we allow a select set of firms to dominate certain frequency bands and orbital locations.
No, we cannot stop being so dramatic, these are legitimate questions. Space is for everyone's benefit, not just SpaceX, despite their remarkable accomplishments.
It is reasonable to have a discussion about how we will mitigate the tragedy of the commons in advance, have a plan and ensure that again...broadband internet in space, a regulated business doing a thing for money in a common setting...benefits us from its use of our common domain.