Space computers could be bad for Earth, experts say

People are worried about pollution from new space plans.

Published 23 July 2026 115 words
SCIENCE A1
Space computers could be bad for Earth, experts say

Companies want to build computers in space. These are called space datacenters. Experts say this could be very bad for our planet. They have written a letter asking to check these plans.

The companies need permission to do this. They want to send many satellites into space. When rockets go up and come down, they make pollution. This pollution can stay in the air around Earth.

This pollution might hurt the air that protects us from the sun. It could also make climate change worse. Some of this pollution could fall back to Earth. Many satellites can also make the night sky too bright.

A group wants the space companies to stop new plans. They say these plans are not allowed. The companies talk about big, exciting ideas for space.

Vocabulary

datacenters — Big computers that store information.
pollution — Things that make the air, water, or land dirty and not safe.
experts — People who know a lot about a subject.
permission — Saying yes to something; allowing something.
satellites — Machines sent into space to go around the Earth.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are space datacenters?
  2. Why are experts worried about space datacenters?
  3. What do the groups want the companies to do?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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