Elon Musk, whose Starlink satellite constellation is the biggest, wields power in the new Trump administration.
SpaceX's Starlink and other mega-constellations of satellites could damage the atmosphere in ways we don't yet understand, scientists say.
About 100 scientists signed a letter in October asking the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates satellite launches in the US, to pause mega-constellations.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 56 Starlink internet satellites launches from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Without an environmental review, it's unclear what the impact of SpaceX's Starlink plans will be.
Persons:
Elon Musk, Trump, SpaceX's Starlink, Putin, Elon, —, Jonathan McDowell, Musk, Donald J, Brandon Bell, Paul Hennessy, Joseph Wang, Michelle Hanlon, there's, Starlink
Organizations:
SpaceX, Research, Federal Communications Commission, Harvard, Getty, Geophysical Research, University of Southern, National Environmental, FCC, NEPA, Center for Air, Space, University of Mississippi School of Law, Trump, of Government, Federal Aviation, California Coastal Commission
Locations:
Russia, Cape Canaveral , Florida, University of Southern California, Texas, California