Astronomers Push for Global Ban on Ground-Visible Space Advertising

2025-01-26
Astronomers Push for Global Ban on Ground-Visible Space Advertising

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) is urging a global ban on space advertising visible from Earth, citing interference with ground-based astronomy. While the U.S. has a decades-old ban, concerns exist that other nations might launch such advertisements. The AAS calls for an international convention or treaty to prohibit this 'obtrusive space advertising,' citing the potential commercial allure. Past proposals involved satellites reflecting sunlight to display logos, but no such campaigns are currently underway. The AAS is pushing the U.S. delegation to the UN's Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to advocate for this ban.