United Nations warns of radio frequency interference and satellite congestion

The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the potential for radio frequency interference to disrupt critical Earth observation, weather forecasting, and environmental monitoring systems. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) emphasized that radio frequencies are essential for early warning systems, climate tracking, and water management. Dorin Bogdan-Martin, head of the ITU, stated that preventing harmful interference is a matter of public safety that can save lives.

Simultaneously, the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) is increasing rapidly. Data indicates there are currently over 31,300 cataloged objects in orbit, a significant portion of which is space debris. While there are approximately 15,700 active satellites, a single company, SpaceX, operates the Starlink constellation with over 11,000 units, accounting for nearly 70% of all operational spacecraft. This surge in commercial launches, including projects from Amazon and China, has contributed to a massive increase in orbital traffic compared to recent years.