4 ms·
SpaceX is using their satellites to accomplish useful things for a lot of stakeholders. They also get special permission to allow their satellites to descend to
by steve_adams_86 5y ago
SpaceX is using their satellites to accomplish useful things for a lot of stakeholders. They also get special permission to allow their satellites to descend to the earth at EOL. These satellites stop orbiting quite quickly after they're no longer functional - they don't orbit indefinitely.
Your litter in comparison would be a totally different kind of problem, and evidently, it is a problem at human scale. That's why there are fines.
- nikolay 5y agoWell, I'm talking about small litter like a banana peel, which lots of other Earth inhabitants will actually appreciate. Even if these satellites burn into the atmosphere, they still pollute with the fumes. Not to mention the pollution from the launch itself!
- nikolay 5y agoBy the way, regarding the littering - I've been doing something I call "distributed composting." For example, if I eat an apple outside of my home, I just throw the remains somewhere it won't be an eyesore, but where it will decompose in no time or better yet - feed some animals or insects. But if a city employees catches me throwing "the litter" into the bushes, they will give me a fine for "littering".