Space adverts are now economically viable but potentially dangerous

New Scientist  reports that constellations of satellites that reflect sunlight to Earth could be used for space advertising at a cost of $65 million per mission.

But the idea is controversial among researchers, who warn of space debris and light pollution for ground and space-based telescopes.

John Crassidis, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Samuel P. Capen Chair Professor in the UB Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said the only way to really mitigate this risk is by taking the satellites down as soon as they stop functioning. “Until there is a mandate to immediately remove the satellites once their formation is no longer maintained, then they will be a problem,” he says.

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