GAO Issues Mega Constellation Policy Options

The GAO laid out a series of policy options, though not recommendations, for how agencies and lawmakers could deal with orbital debris, satellite reflectivity and upper atmosphere emissions issues. In a report last week, GAO said options include supporting research about those issues' potential effects and development of technologies to address them; facilitating improved sharing of relevant constellation data; establishing appropriate agreements or regulations; and building national and international organizations to facilitate mitigation of constellations' effects. It said the report was done in consultation with agencies including the FCC, NASA, FAA and NOAA.