Scientists, Green Groups Urge FCC to Pause Orbital AI Data Center Permits

Surging demand for AI computing is straining the power, water and land available for terrestrial data centers, while new projects increasingly face resistance from nearby communities. SpaceX, Blue Origin, Starcloud and Cowboy Space are among companies pursuing orbital computing, promoting near-continuous solar power and radiative cooling as alternatives. The plans matter because launching data infrastructure at unprecedented scale could shift environmental costs from the ground to the upper atmosphere and low Earth orbit, affecting ozone, orbital safety, astronomy and wildlife.

On July 8, 2026, Earthjustice petitioned the Federal Communications Commission on behalf of DarkSky International, Environment America and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, seeking a licensing pause until a programmatic environmental review is completed under the National Environmental Policy Act. The pending proposals collectively envision well over 1 million low-Earth-orbit satellites, with SpaceX alone requesting authorization for as many as 1 million. The groups cited rocket emissions, pollutants from spacecraft reentry, collision debris, ozone depletion and light pollution; about 15,000 active satellites are currently in orbit.