Environmental groups urge FCC to pause orbital data center applications

Environmental groups, represented by Earthjustice, have petitioned the US Federal Communications Commission to conduct a thorough environmental review before processing orbital data center applications, citing concerns about the impact on the ozone layer, night sky and stratosphere. The petition calls for a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act. The FCC is due to vote on an order to streamline satellite licensing, but it remains unclear how this will affect the surge of orbital data center proposals.