Satellite network encircling Earth with carbon emissions, juxtaposed with connected remote communities.

Is Your Internet Footprint Killing the Planet? The Hidden Cost of Satellite Broadband

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Mira Elwood in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"LEO satellite broadband offers connectivity to remote areas but comes with a significant environmental price tag. Uncover the surprising carbon footprint of your internet."


In an increasingly interconnected world, the promise of broadband internet reaching every corner of the globe has become a driving force behind technological innovation. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, like those proposed by Amazon’s Kuiper, Eutelsat Group’s OneWeb, and SpaceX’s Starlink, represent a significant step toward achieving this goal. These megaconstellations aim to bridge the digital divide, bringing high-speed internet to rural and remote communities where traditional infrastructure is lacking.

However, this rapid expansion into space comes with a hidden cost: a substantial environmental footprint. The increasing number of rocket launches required to deploy and maintain these satellite networks is raising concerns about the impact of rocket fuel emissions on the Earth's atmosphere. While LEO satellite broadband offers the potential to connect billions and achieve Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), understanding and mitigating its environmental consequences is paramount.

This article dives into the sustainability assessment of LEO satellite broadband megaconstellations, exploring the trade-offs between connecting unconnected communities and preserving our planet. We'll examine the environmental impact of these ambitious projects, comparing them to terrestrial alternatives and discussing the policy implications for a sustainable future.

The Sky-High Environmental Cost of Connectivity

Satellite network encircling Earth with carbon emissions, juxtaposed with connected remote communities.

The deployment of LEO satellite constellations relies on a continuous stream of rocket launches, each contributing to a complex web of environmental impacts. Rockets release a variety of emissions into the atmosphere, including nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, black carbon, water vapor, hydrogen gas, aluminum oxide, hydrochloric acid, and radicals of chlorate, hydrate, and nitrate. These emissions have the potential to affect climate change, ozone depletion, and overall air quality.

Compared to terrestrial mobile broadband, LEO megaconstellations are significantly more emissions-intensive. Studies have shown that LEO satellites can generate roughly 6-8 times more emissions (250 kg CO2eq/subscriber/year) than traditional mobile broadband solutions. In worst-case scenarios, this figure can jump to 12-14 times more (469 kg CO2eq/subscriber/year).

  • Global Warming Potential (GWP): Measures the radiative forcing of carbon dioxide equivalents over a 100-year horizon.
  • Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP): Assesses the potential for steady-state depletion in chlorofluorocarbon-11 equivalents.
  • Mineral & Metal Resource Depletion Potential: Evaluates abiotic resource depletion in antimony equivalents.
  • Freshwater Aquatic Ecotoxicity Potential: Determines the comparative toxic units for ecosystems.
  • Human Toxicity Potential: Estimates the increase in morbidity (cases) for humans.
To put these numbers in perspective, the annual operational environmental footprints of phase 1 LEO constellations (0.2-0.7 Mt CO2eq) are equivalent to the energy usage of 24-85k annual US homes or 43-150k gasoline-powered passenger vehicles. This contrast to the model GEO network with total annual emissions of 0.4 Mt CO2eq in the worst-base, is comparable to the energy usage of 46k annual US homes, or 82k annual gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.

Navigating the Space Sustainability Paradox

The expansion of LEO satellite broadband presents a classic “space sustainability paradox.” While offering the potential to connect billions and drive progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, it also carries significant environmental risks. Decision-makers must carefully weigh the economic, social, and environmental benefits against the growing environmental footprint of the satellite sector. As phase 2 plans to launch an order-of-magnitude more satellites loom on the horizon, the time to address these concerns is now.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2309.02338,

Title: Sustainability Assessment Of Low Earth Orbit (Leo) Satellite Broadband Megaconstellations

Subject: astro-ph.ep cs.sy econ.gn eess.sy q-fin.ec

Authors: Ogutu B. Osoro, Edward J. Oughton, Andrew R. Wilson, Akhil Rao

Published: 05-09-2023

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the primary environmental concern associated with LEO satellite broadband?

The primary environmental concern is the substantial carbon footprint resulting from rocket fuel emissions during the deployment and maintenance of LEO satellite constellations. These emissions include gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and various other pollutants, impacting climate change, ozone depletion, and air quality. The increase in launches required by companies such as Amazon's Kuiper, Eutelsat Group's OneWeb, and SpaceX's Starlink contributes to the growing environmental footprint.

2

How does the environmental impact of LEO satellite broadband compare to traditional mobile broadband?

LEO satellite megaconstellations are significantly more emissions-intensive than traditional mobile broadband solutions. Studies show that LEO satellites can generate roughly 6-8 times more emissions (250 kg CO2eq/subscriber/year) than terrestrial alternatives. In worst-case scenarios, this figure can jump to 12-14 times more (469 kg CO2eq/subscriber/year). This highlights a significant trade-off between expanding internet access and environmental preservation.

3

What are the specific emissions released by rockets that contribute to the environmental footprint of LEO satellite broadband?

Rockets release various emissions, including nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, black carbon, water vapor, hydrogen gas, aluminum oxide, hydrochloric acid, and radicals of chlorate, hydrate, and nitrate. These emissions can affect climate change, ozone depletion, and overall air quality, contributing to the overall environmental impact of LEO satellite broadband.

4

What is the 'space sustainability paradox' in the context of LEO satellite broadband, and how is it relevant?

The 'space sustainability paradox' refers to the dilemma of expanding LEO satellite broadband. It offers the potential to connect billions and drive progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet it also carries significant environmental risks. Decision-makers must weigh the economic, social, and environmental benefits against the growing environmental footprint of the satellite sector. As phase 2 plans to launch an order of magnitude more satellites, the time to address these concerns is now.

5

What are the potential environmental impacts that are used to assess the footprints of the LEO satellite constellations?

The environmental impacts are assessed using several metrics including: Global Warming Potential (GWP), which measures the radiative forcing of carbon dioxide equivalents over a 100-year horizon. Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), assessing the potential for steady-state depletion in chlorofluorocarbon-11 equivalents. Other measurements include Mineral & Metal Resource Depletion Potential, Freshwater Aquatic Ecotoxicity Potential, and Human Toxicity Potential. These factors help to evaluate the full extent of the environmental impact.

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