Discussing the Ethical Concerns of Satellite Technology: A Military and Environmental Analysis

Remote Warfare: Killing over Kilometres 

The advent of satellite systems has revolutionised modern warfare, particularly through the enhancement of targeting and surveillance capabilities, which has been instrumental in the proliferation of remote warfare. The ethical implications of this paradigm shift are profound, as it delegates the authority to execute lethal operations to individuals situated thousands of kilometres from the theatre of conflict. This detachment raises critical questions regarding the moral responsibility of drone operators who, from a remote location, engage in actions that have direct and often devastating consequences on the battlefield. 

The dichotomy between the daily lives of these operators and the gravity of their missions has been likened to the experience of playing a video game, a comparison that underscores the surreal and distanced nature of satellite-enabled drone warfare. The discourse on remote warfare often posits that physical distance may mitigate the psychological resistance to lethal action. However, the vividness of real-time video feeds confronts drone operators with the stark realities of violence. A case in point is a predator drone pilot’s account, who insisted that watching two young boys on a bicycle ride into the frame seconds before his missile struck its designated target ‘lost none of its impact’ from being viewed on a screen, affirming that “Death observed was still death.”

While anecdotal evidence alone cannot definitively conclude whether distance sufficiently insulates individuals from the psychological effects of violent acts, a growing body of reports indicates that drone operators are susceptible to mental health issues. These include high stress levels and, in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with the prevalence of such conditions being comparable to that of manned aircraft pilots. The psychological impact of remote warfare, particularly due to the exposure to high-resolution imagery of violence, warrants serious consideration, with the symptoms induced by such exposure underscoring the profound effects of combat, even from a distance. Consequently, the concept of proximity in warfare cannot be confined to mere physical distance, as modern technology paradoxically distances operators while simultaneously creating an intimate connection to the battlefield. Drone crews, while physically removed, experience a closeness to their targets that is both tangible and psychological. 

This duality is supported by psychological research indicating that remote warfare participants experience complex emotional and social responses, including a sense of responsibility and a psychological bond with the battlefield. As displayed, the capabilities afforded by satellite technology in the realm of remote warfare have introduced unique ethical dilemmas. This pertains to the notion of proximity and its psychological impact on drone operators, and the juxtaposition of the operators’ physical remoteness with the intimate involvement in life-and-death decisions, a duality that is emblematic of the modern military landscape. The narrative is clear, while advanced technologies have unlocked new possibilities in warfare, they concurrently present unprecedented challenges. 

Space Debris and the Environment 

The escalation of satellite technology deployment has also precipitated the issue of space debris, which poses a significant challenge within the space domain. A recent incident underscores this concern, when a decommissioned Russian satellite fragmented into over a hundred pieces in orbit, compelling the crew of the International Space Station to seek shelter whilst also adding to the existing problem of orbital debris. The satellite’s breakup occurred in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 355 kilometres (220 miles), a congested altitude where thousands of small to large satellites operate, including Space X’s vast ‘Starlink’ network and China’s space station module, that houses three of their astronauts. 

In 2021, Russia’s engagement in a ground-based anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test, which resulted in the destruction of one of its own decommissioned satellites, also drew substantial international censure from the United States and other Western nations. The test, conducted at the Plesetsk rocket facility, led to the creation of thousands of fragments of space debris. Such incidents are part of a larger issue for Russia, as they lead any other nation in the amount of space debris that they create, as shown in figure 1, with data provided by Sci-Tech Today. While infrequent, such large-scale debris-generating events are garnering heightened attention due to the increasing congestion of critical satellite networks that underpin daily life on Earth. This has raised concerns over the potential for a Kessler effect, a scenario where collisions with debris trigger a domino effect of further collisions, thereby multiplying the risks and hazards. 

In response to the escalating challenge of space debris, Japanese researchers have pioneered the development of the world’s inaugural wooden satellite, with the small cuboid spacecraft scheduled for deployment aboard a Space X rocket in September of this year. The creators expect the wooden material to burn up completely when the device re-enters the atmosphere, potentially providing a way to avoid the generation of metal particles when a retired satellite returns to Earth, that could have a negative impact on the environment and telecommunications. The concern highlighted speaks to the broader implications of satellite technology and its deployment, for both space and Earth. It underscores the environmental considerations that must be taken into account as nations vie for technological dominance in space. This pursuit, while driving innovation and exploration, also carries the risk of exacerbating the accumulation of space debris, which can have detrimental effects on the orbital environment and, by extension, Earth’s atmosphere.

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