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SUMMARY:Holding up the skies: Is Starlink occupying Low Earth orbit? - Pro
 fessor Mia Bennett\, Centre for Outer Space Studies\, University College L
 ondon
DTSTART:20251029T140000Z
DTEND:20251029T153000Z
UID:TALK240031@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Professor Michael Bravo
DESCRIPTION:Starlink is occupying Low Earth orbit (LEO) with thousands of 
 small satellites\, which provide global high-speed internet. We calculate 
 that the privately owned megaconstellation accounts for 52% of all mass in
  LEO and 75% of all mass launched into this strategic orbit since 2019\, w
 hen Starlink’s operations began\, and early 2023. With these statistics 
 as the basis for a quantitative critical political geography\, we conceptu
 alize orbital occupation and differentiate it from terrestrial occupation.
  Orbital occupation is kinetic rather than fixed in place\, fundamentally 
 volumetric rather than superficial\, highly exclusionary\, meaning first o
 ccupants accrue advantages at the expense of latecomers\, and reliant on a
 dvanced engineering. Orbital space is also a finite resource increasingly 
 occupied by commercial rather than state actors\, which see opportunities 
 for profit. While Starlink’s activities are authorized by the U.S. gover
 nment\, when combined with parent company SpaceX\, which launches the sate
 llites into space\, the two companies can access and occupy orbital space 
 in a way no state\, not even the U.S.\, can match. Given the two companies
 ’ combined might boosted by Elon Musk’s ability to influence politics 
 and weak national and international regulation of LEO\, dislodging Starlin
 k’s domination will prove difficult. 
LOCATION:Scott Polar Research Institute\, Seminar Room
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