Professor Files Amicus Brief in FCC Lawsuit in re Starlink Broadband Satellites Approved without Environmental Review

By B.N. Frank

Despite expert warnings and opposition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the launching of tens of thousands of satellites into the sky and space to blast WiFi and/or 5G at us (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26).

Earlier this year a petition was filed with the FCC to pause satellite deployment due to various safety risks. In 2020, a lawsuit was filed against the FCC regarding satellite deployment (see 1, 2, 3). Recently, an astronomy professor filed an amicus brief with the lawsuit.

From Environmental Health Trust:

Law 360: Profs. Tell DC Circ. SpaceX Launches Need Enviro Re

Profs. Tell DC Circ. SpaceX Launches Need Enviro Review

Nadia Dreid, Law360, Aug 17, 2021

Law360 (August 17, 2021, 7:13 PM EDT) — The Federal Communications Commission made a mistake when it gave SpaceX permission to launch thousands of broadband satellites from its Starlink fleet closer to Earth than originally planned without also ordering an environmental review, a group of astronomy professors told the D.C. Circuit.

The number of satellites in low Earth orbit is already making it difficult for astronomers to do their job, and the work is only going to get harder if the FCC continues to allow companies like Elon Musk-linked SpaceX to launch objects into the sky without considering the effect on the environment, the celestial experts argued.

University of Edinburgh astronomy professor Andy Lawrence filed the amicus brief Friday, bringing his two cents to the consolidated set of appeals before the D.C. Circuit, all challenging the FCC’s decision to bless the Starlink launch in a lower orbit. The brief, according to Lawrence, was coordinated with several colleagues at various American institutions.

“Humans have interacted with the night sky for thousands of years,” the brief said. “Only recently, however, have humans begun launching objects into near Earth orbital space. Professor Lawrence is (and the other astronomers are) interested in this case because the commission’s order underlying it has significant potential consequences for astronomy and humans’ access to the sky.”

Lawsuits have been filed against the FCC for 5G deployment on Earth as well (see 1, 2, 3, 4).

American 5G opposition continues to increase due to concerns about reduced property value (see 1, 2, 3, 4), public safety (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), health (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), cybersecurity (see 1, 2), privacy (see 1, 2), economic, and/or environmental risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

In 2019, telecom executives gave congressional testimony that they had NO independent scientific evidence that 5G is safe. Earlier this year, scientists submitted a letter to President Biden asking him to protect the public from 5G and other unsafe technology. Americans opposed to 5G may click here to sign a letter asking the Biden administration to stop deployment immediately.

Opposition to 5G is worldwide. Cities and entire countries have taken action to ban, delay, halt, and limit installation AS WELL AS issue moratoriums. Since 2017, doctors and scientists have been asking for moratoriums on Earth and in space (see 1, 2). Since 2018 there have been reports of people and animals experiencing symptoms and illnesses after it was installed (see 1, 2, 3, 4). The majority of scientists oppose deployment.