Astronomers call for total ban on 'obtrusive space advertising'
At a briefing at the 245th meeting of the American Astronomical Society held in early January 2025, the American Astronomical Society issued a statement calling for a global ban on 'obtrusive space advertising,' citing the possibility of it interfering with astronomical observations from the ground.
AAS Statement on Obtrusive Space Advertising | American Astronomical Society
Astronomers seek global ban on space advertising - SpaceNews
https://spacenews.com/astronomers-seek-global-ban-on-space-advertising/
In order to make effective use of the vastness of space, some private companies are exploring the possibility of advertising in space so that it can be seen from the ground. In fact, a Russian research team has announced a 'space advertising mission' to explore whether this 'space advertising' is feasible, attempting to display advertisements by reflecting sunlight with an artificial satellite.
Russian research team announces 'space advertising', displays advertisements on the ground from space using small artificial satellites - GIGAZINE
While space advertising is undoubtedly profitable for companies, it can be a hindrance to astronomers observing celestial bodies. Some countries, such as the United States, prohibit space advertising by law, but such prohibitions vary from country to country, and American astronomers are calling on countries to ban 'obtrusive space advertising' worldwide.
'Intrusive space advertising' is defined under US law as 'any advertising in outer space that is visible to humans on the surface of the Earth without the aid of a telescope or other technological device.'
'Space advertising is very attractive, so if there's any commercial value, someone will do it,' said John Valentin, a member of the American Astronomical Society's Space Environment Protection Committee. 'As far as we know, there are no imminent attempts at space advertising, but in April 2024, Russia's Avant Space launched a small satellite designed to shoot lasers to create advertising logos and images. There are growing concerns that companies in other countries might launch intrusive space advertising.'
The American Astronomical Society released the following statement:
The mission of the American Astronomical Society is to advance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the Universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomy community.
-Clear, unobstructed views of the universe are essential to advancing humanity's scientific understanding of the universe.
Its operations are currently threatened by certain activities in space, including the proliferation of large satellite constellations, existing space debris, the potential for future collisions that could create debris, radio frequency interference, and unintended electromagnetic radiation.
Additionally, various nation states and private commercial entities have expressed interest in launching payloads into space, the stated purpose of which is to emit light to display advertising that can be seen from the ground.
- Such use of outer space poses currently unknown but potentially serious threats to the pursuit of astronomy using ground-based facilities.
Astronomy is a form of 'exploration and use of outer space' contemplated by Article 1 of the Outer Space Treaty, and Article 9 requires states parties to limit potentially harmful interference, taking into consideration other states parties engaged in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.
- Activities such as obtrusive space advertising arguably constitute 'potentially harmful interference' with ground-based astronomy.
- No mitigation measures can be applied to enable peaceful coexistence with intrusive space advertising.
In light of the above, the American Astronomical Society calls for a global ban on intrusive space advertising through appropriate international treaties, conventions, or laws, and urges the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to support such a ban.
'We hope to see the United States actively pursue this issue at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and establish as a norm in the international community not to engage in this form of advertising,' Valentin said.
A few days after this statement was released, astronomers discovered that an asteroid they had discovered was a Tesla car, and its registration was revoked. In the future, it may be necessary to regulate not only 'obtrusive space advertisements' but also 'obtrusive cars.'
Asteroid discovered was revealed to be Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster, registration cancelled - GIGAZINE
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