this post was submitted on 07 May 2025
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SpaceX and Starlink owner may benefit from Trump cuts to projects that could have led to regulations and costs

The Trump administration is poised to kill federal research into pollution from satellites and rockets, including some caused by Elon Musk’s space companies, raising new conflict-of-interest questions about the billionaire SpaceX and Starlink owner.

The pollution appears to be accumulating in the stratosphere at alarming levels. Some fear it could destroy the ozone layer, potentially expose some people to higher levels of ultraviolet radiation or help further destabilize the earth’s climate during the climate crisis.

The two research projects would have had the potential to eventually lead to new regulations, costs or logistical challenges for Musk’s companies and the commercial space industry, experts say.

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[–] arandomthought@sh.itjust.works 57 points 2 months ago (1 children)

As we learned from trump during covid: If you don't look into a problem it does not exist.
It's a fact!

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago

Just inject bleach into LEO, nbd

Hahahaha Kessler Syndrome goes brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[–] _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works 24 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

We're gonna quarantine ourselves to Earth with all the space junk.

Probably for the best honestly.

[–] kingpepe8006@sh.itjust.works 20 points 2 months ago (1 children)

WALL-E situation coming to life day by day

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] kingpepe8006@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago

My brother🫂

[–] ArchmageAzor@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

Hopefully the ESA and CNSA can pick up the slack

Good! That way long-term space exploration will be hindered, and all the pollution that goes with it.