Billionaires are taking over Low Earth Orbit without any real constraints, control or accountability.

And there are real dangers to human life and culture — both from satellites crashing to earth or burning up in the atmosphere, and from the possibility of a catastrophic collision that could endanger all satellites, including scientific instruments we rely on.

Last night I listened to Prof. Sam Lawler, @sundogplanets@mastodon.social talk about Astronomy and the Billionaire Space Race.

She's speaking all over NZ. I highly recommend you go to learn about this for yourself: Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand Lecture Trust (BHT).

Dr Samantha Lawler in front of a title slide for her talk.