Environmentalists and space experts have warned that proposed orbital data centers backed by major technology companies, including SpaceX and Blue Origin, could pose severe risks to Earth’s atmosphere. A petition has been filed with the US Federal Communications Commission seeking an independent review of the potential harm and calling for a pause on licenses for new space data-center projects, according to a report published on July 24, 2026.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Earthjustice and DarkSky International jointly submitted the petition. They say emissions from satellite launches and atmospheric re-entry, including black carbon, rare metals, aluminum oxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and chlorine gas, could accumulate in the stratosphere. Scientists fear this pollution could damage the ozone layer, increase exposure to ultraviolet radiation and worsen the global climate crisis. The report says the number of active satellites has risen from about 1,400 in 2015 to about 15,000 currently, while companies have not presented a satisfactory plan to address combined pollution, collisions and debris.