Space urgently needs special legal protection similar to that given to land, sea and atmosphere to protect its fragile environment, argues a team of scientists. The scientific, economic and cultural benefits of space should be considered against the damaging environmental impacts posed by an influx of space debris — roughly 60 miles above Earth’s surface — fueled by the rapid growth of so-called satellite mega-constellations.
Heavens need environmental protection just like Earth, experts say
April 22, 2022 | UW NEWS
![](https://dirac.astro.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Starlink-satellites-over-the-Carson-National-Forest-in-New-Mexico-photographed-shortly-after-launch.M.-Lewinsky.png)