Report on Mega-Constellations to the Government of Canada and the Canadian Space Agency

TL;DR

This report offers recommendations to the Canadian government on managing the environmental and astronomical impacts of deploying mega-constellations of satellites, emphasizing sustainable development and international cooperation.

Contribution

It provides a set of eight actionable recommendations for Canada to mitigate negative effects of satellite mega-constellations through sustainable and collaborative approaches.

Findings

Highlights environmental concerns of mega-constellations

Proposes strategies for sustainable satellite deployment

Emphasizes international cooperation and regulation

Abstract

This document provides recommendations to the Government of Canada and the Canadian Space Agency in response to their call for feedback on the future of Canadian space exploration. The report focuses on how the construction and long-term placement of mega-constellations of satellites into Earth orbit will affect astronomy and the view of the night sky by all peoples, with attention to all Canadians. The broader discussion highlights several environmental concerns associated with the construction and maintenance of these mega-constellations. The eight recommendations here address ways that Canada can play a role in mitigating some of these negative effects through national and international initiatives. In drafting the recommendations, we take the approach that space needs to be developed sustainably. In this regard, we use the Brundtland Report's definition: "Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Thus, all recommendations here are made with the intent of minimizing the negative consequences of mega-constellations, while also recognizing that their development will continue.