2022 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Space Pollution

What is the environmental impact of commercial space exploration? Sixty-five years ago, one satellite orbited Earth. Today, that number has risen to more than 20,000. As private space exploration surges, so do new kinds of pollution. Light trails from hundreds of satellite “constellations” streak across sensitive astronomical imagery. Debris from defunct or destroyed satellites that remain in orbit pose collision risks to other satellites—commercial, civil, and military, not to mention orbiting space telescopes. Large chunks of debris that de-orbit do so uncontrollably, putting Earth’s surface at risk. #SpacePollution #NeildeGrasseTyson #AsimovDebate #SpaceX #satellites #AMNH #ScienceDebate #ScienceLecture #AmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory #SpaceJunk #Astrophysics How do we balance the needs of industry and the needs of science? How do we create a sustainable space exploration industry? Join Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium, and our panel of experts representing various sectors on this issue for a dynamic discussion about the environmental implications of the private space exploration era. Watch all the past Asimov debates: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrfcruGtplwGKzxDI_Ne06NlpOKt-yonZ For a full transcript of this debate, visit: https://www.amnh.org/explore/amnh.tv 2020 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Alien Life https://youtu.be/xgESzc3hc2U 2018 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Artificial Intelligence https://youtu.be/gb4SshJ5WOY 2017 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: De-Extinction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LnAt 2016 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Is the Universe a Simulation? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgSZA 2015 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Water, Water https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSF79 2014 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Selling Space https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbmFe 2013 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Existence of Nothing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OLz6 2012 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Faster Than the Speed of Light https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qlLW 2011 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Theory of Everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb8_3 2022 Asimov Panelists: Colonel Scott Brodeur Director, National Space Defense Center and Director of Operations, Joint Task Force Space Defense, United States Space Command Moriba K. Jah Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas at Austin Therese Jones Senior Director of Policy for the Satellite Industry Association Meredith Rawls Research Scientist, Vera C. Rubin Observatory Data Management Aparna Venkatesan Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of San Francisco Connie Walker Scientist at National Science Foundation's NOIRLab The late Dr. Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific and influential authors of our time, was a dear friend and supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. In his memory, the Hayden Planetarium is honored to host the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate—generously endowed by relatives, friends, and admirers of Isaac Asimov and his work—bringing the finest minds in the world to the Museum each year to debate pressing questions on the frontier of scientific discovery. Proceeds from ticket sales of the Isaac Asimov Memorial Debates benefit the scientific and educational programs of the Hayden Planetarium. *** Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=amnhorg Check out our full video catalog: http://www.youtube.com/user/AMNHorg Facebook: http://fb.com/naturalhistory Twitter: http://twitter.com/amnh Tumblr: http://amnhnyc.tumblr.com/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/amnh This video and all media incorporated herein (including text, images, and audio) are the property of the American Museum of Natural History or its licensors, all rights reserved. The Museum has made this video available for your personal, educational use. You may not use this video, or any part of it, for commercial purposes, nor may you reproduce, distribute, publish, prepare derivative works from, or publically display it without the prior written consent of the Museum. © American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY