Astronomers call for a global ban on space advertising visible from Earth, threatening astronomy and the night sky.
Space advertising visible from Earth poses serious problems for astronomy. These “intrusive ads” disrupt ground-based observations and threaten the conservation of the night sky. Although the United States prohibits these practices, companies in other countries are developing technologies to project logos or messages from Earth orbit. Astronomers are calling for an international ban via treaties or conventions to prevent this new form of visual pollution and preserve scientific research and the beauty of the sky.
The technical challenges of advertising in space
Space advertising, defined as visible to the naked eye from Earth without instruments, uses technologies such as laser-equipped satellites or reflective sails. For example, a laser-equipped cubesat could project logos or messages into the night sky, creating a form of artificial light pollution.
The impact on astronomy is considerable. Ground-based telescopes, such as those at observatories in Chile and Hawaii, depend on dark skies free from light interference. An increase in the number of advertising satellites would not only disrupt observations, but also complicate the tracking of critical celestial objects, such as near-Earth asteroids.
The cost of launching these satellites is also a cause for concern. Currently, sending a small satellite into low-Earth orbit costs between €10,000 and €20,000 per kilogram**. This means that companies with substantial budgets could exploit this technology, despite its environmental and scientific impact.
Current legislation in the USA
The United States prohibits space advertising through a federal law that prevents the granting of launch licenses to missions involving this type of payload. This regulation has been in force for several decades, limiting American initiatives in this field.
However, this legislation has no universal equivalent. According to John Barentine, a member of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the absence of an international standard opens the door to initiatives from other nations. Companies outside the U.S., notably in Russia, are actively experimenting with these technologies.
One notable example is Avant Space, a Russian company that in April 2024 launched a cubesat designed to test the projection of advertising logos in orbit. Although the details of this mission remain unclear, the success of this technological demonstration illustrates the potential for rapid development in this sector.
International initiatives and concerns
Other countries are also interested in space advertising. In 2019, a Russian company, StartRocket, collaborated with PepsiCo to test advertising in space using reflective Mylar sails to project a logo. Although this initiative was suspended after preliminary tests, it highlights the technical viability of such operations.
Astronomers are concerned about the lack of international consensus. The American Astronomical Society has called for a global ban on space advertising via international treaties or conventions under the aegis of the United Nations. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) could play a crucial role in developing global norms.
However, implementing such a ban requires complex coordination between nations. Commercial interests, particularly in developing countries seeking to exploit space for economic reasons, further complicate the situation.
Economic and ecological consequences
Space advertising has great economic potential, but its environmental consequences are a cause for concern. Advertising satellites contribute to the increase in space debris, an already critical problem in low-Earth orbit. According to ESA (European Space Agency), over 36,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 cm are currently being tracked in orbit. Each new satellite increases the risk of collisions and explosions, exacerbating this problem.
What’s more, light pollution affects not only astronomy, but also the earth’s wildlife. The natural cycles of nocturnal species are disrupted by artificial light sources, compromising their survival.
In economic terms, although companies can benefit from space advertising, the costs of managing negative impacts (debris tracking, light pollution abatement) could be high. Observatories and research institutions could also be forced to invest in more expensive technologies to compensate for interference, further burdening scientific budgets.
The call for concerted action
Faced with these challenges, astronomers insist on the urgent need to establish international standards. Such regulation could include :
- Limiting the number of advertising satellites allowed in orbit.
- A strict ban on technologies designed to project images visible from Earth.
- Collaboration between governments to monitor and sanction violations.
Recent examples show that public awareness can play a key role. Campaigns against light pollution have already succeeded in mobilizing support for local regulations in several countries. These efforts must now be extended internationally to include space.
Outlook for the future
Space technologies will continue to evolve, making space advertising more accessible and attractive to businesses. However, without strict regulation, these advances could lead to an irreversible deterioration in astronomical observation conditions and an increase in international tensions.
Space is a common good, and its exploitation must be balanced between economic interests and scientific preservation. Initiatives such as the AAS show that solutions are possible, but they require a collective commitment.
The space industry has proved that it can innovate rapidly. It’s time to use this capacity to ensure that these innovations benefit humanity without compromising precious resources such as the night sky.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.