Environmental impact of Starlink`s Satellite Constellations in Kenya.

We have all heard of starlink but have we considered the space junk accumulation?

A study reveals that the carbon footprint of these satellite constellations could be up to 30 times larger than traditional land-based internet options.

As the digital frontier expands (we want internet EVERYWHERE), so does the environmental impact. Researchers in the US and UK have crunched the numbers, and the results are staggering. Rocket launches, like those of SpaceX, are spewing out emissions like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, contributing significantly to the carbon footprint. 

The rapid expansion of satellite mega-constellations, such as SpaceX's Starlink, has ushered in a new era of global broadband coverage. While these constellations promise to connect unconnected communities and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, a recent study reveals a significant and overlooked environmental impact associated with their deployment.

Negative Impacts:

1. Carbon Footprint Surges

The study, conducted by researchers in the US and UK, delves into the environmental externalities of rocket launches required to place new satellites in space. The carbon footprint of satellite constellations, particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), is causing concern. The emissions from rocket launches, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, black carbon, and aluminum oxide, contribute to a substantial carbon footprint. The research indicates that the carbon footprint per subscriber could be 31 to 91 times larger than that of traditional land-based internet options.

2. Space Debris

Space Debris: Starlink is launching several satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This has raised wide concerns that these many satellites in LEO may create an increased risk of collision impacting Kenya and the rest of the world through the action of debris created from malfunctioned or collided satellites by impairing the ability of future space missions and other satellite operations to perform adequately for scientific and communication tasks.

3. Orbital Congestion:

The swarming of thousands of satellites launched by Starlink and other companies increases the risk of collision among space objects. This has raised questions about sustainable use and further challenges satellite launches, space explorations, and Earth observation missions that might affect African nations like Kenya.

4. Light Pollution

Astronomical Observation: Starlink satellites are relatively bright and interfere with astronomical observations. In Kenya, with great potential for both astronomical research and stargazing activities in these rural areas with low light pollution, the visibility of Starlink satellites during early morning and late evening interferes with scientific studies and amateur astronomy.

5. Sky Aesthetics:

There are concerns that bright satellites will destroy the natural beauty of the night sky, especially in those rural and remote parts of Kenya where the night sky is often clearer and pristine.

6. Manufacturing and Launch Emissions:

While thousands of Starlink satellites are manufactured and launched into space, these simply add a lot to carbon emissions and energy use. Fuels used by rockets during the launching of the satellites emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Though such launches do not happen in Kenya, this global environmental footprint of such operations contributes to climate change and has profound effects in Kenya, including changed rainfall patterns, droughts, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

7. Ground Stations and Infrastructure:

Starlink needs ground stations to transit the internet data, which may cause local environmental impacts in Kenya. Ground station establishment can lead to disturbance in the natural landscapes, habitat for wildlife, and ecosystems. These also require energy for operation, therefore contributing to more carbon footprint.

8. Materials Utilized in Satellites:

Similar to other high-tech gadgets, Starlink satellites are manufactured with various minerals and metals whose mining leads to significant environmental impacts related to habitat devastation, water pollution, and the depletion of natural resources. Kenya itself may not be involved in satellite manufacturing; however, it may well face the challenge of increased environmental stress brought about by such processes at a global level. 

9. Power Consumption:

The dishes of Starlink may increase power consumption in rural Kenya, considering that such areas depend on non-renewable energy sources. This dependency will degrade the environment; an issue that raises concern if renewable energy is not integrated into the infrastructural setup.

Positive Environmental Impact:

Despite these concerns, following are a few possible environmental benefits that could come from Starlink's service in Kenya:

1. Environmental Monitoring and Data Collection:

Starlink satellites can be used in the environmental monitoring of disaster management, conservation of wildlife, and other climate change-related issues, such as deforestation and desertification. Reliably connecting the internet in remote parts of Kenya can, therefore, help organizations collect data and send it in real time to contribute to better environmental stewardship.

2. Awareness and Education:

In a scenario where more rural Kenyans are connected to the internet, education on the environment would increase, leading to better awareness and involvement of people in conservation, hence improving their resources for adaptation to climate change.

3. Improved Infrastructure:

As the Kenyan space agency, Kenya Space Agency, expands its scope of activities, it is likely that rules and regulations on how foreign satellite constellations like Starlink fit into Kenyan airspace and ground infrastructure will be implemented. International cooperation will be just as important in reducing some of the more macro-level concerns, such as space debris.