Satellite mega-constellations risk sending low Earth orbit into runaway chaos

Hugh G. Lewis of the University of Birmingham has published a preprint on arXiv warning that the unchecked growth of satellite mega-constellations in low Earth orbit could trigger a runaway cascade of collisions — known as the Kessler syndrome — permanently cutting off humanity's access to space. The paper also highlights the risk of debris causing damage on Earth's surface. Lewis argues the threat is not hypothetical but a real near-term risk if mega-constellations are not properly managed.

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