Lots of Shade on Satellite Constellations

TL;DR

The paper discusses how the increasing number of satellite launches could unintentionally reduce solar flux reaching Earth, potentially mitigating climate change but raising concerns for astronomy and orbital stability.

Contribution

It highlights a previously underexplored positive side effect of satellite proliferation, suggesting a potential climate benefit from future satellite growth.

Findings

Satellite launches may significantly decrease solar flux by 2031.

Reduced solar flux could help mitigate anthropogenic climate change.

The decrease in solar flux presents both environmental benefits and challenges for astronomy.

Abstract

The high frequency of satellite launches, particularly over the last few years, has been a subject of significant concern, particularly relating to the future of observational astronomy, the stability of low Earth orbits, and environmental impacts. We call attention to the insufficiently-addressed silver lining of this looming satellite cloud. If the high rates of satellites continue as we model, we can expect the solar flux received by the Earth to significantly decrease in the relatively near future. We address how this decrease in flux could provide a solution for another major problem, anthropogenic climate change. This would allow us to solve one problem with another problem as early as late March 2031.