Licence to operate a space object

Since humans have been on earth, the sky at night has caused many to gaze upwards in astonishment. Beyond its beauty, celestial navigation guided humans across the seas, forming new trade routes and civilisations. The constellations also signalled when winter or summer was approaching so people would know when to sow their crops.

But for decades, the night sky has been changing dramatically. Thousands of satellites now blink in amongst the stars and planets, doubling in number in the past few years largely due to the existence of companies like SpaceX. As objects continue to be launched into space with sparse environmental regulations in place, astrophotographer Monika Deviat asks: what do we stand to lose?

With contributions from astronomer Radmila Topalović, astronomy professor and knowledge holder of the Euahlayi nation Ghillar, behavioural ecologist Cecilia Nilsson and lighting project manager at the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Rachel Tighe.

Presenter: Monika Deviat
Producer: Sasha Edye-Lindner
A Reduced Listening production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Monika's self portrait with the rising Milky Way on a mountain ridge in Waterton Lakes National Park, an international Dark Sky Park in Alberta, Canada. Credit: Monika Deviat Photography)