00:00This rocket was just successfully launched into space by Indian tech startup Skyroot Aerospace.
00:05That achievement makes India only the third nation in the world after the US and China
00:10to reach Earth orbit through private enterprise.
00:13Sounds impressive, what it's all about.
00:15In a nutshell, these rockets transport small satellites into space for global internet and Earth observation.
00:21This model was pioneered by billionaire Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
00:25Now, it's a multi-billion dollar market, but scientists warn that launching thousands of satellites comes with hidden environmental costs.
00:33Once they are technically outdated, they are literally burned by re-entering the orbit.
00:38The metallic emissions potentially harm Earth's ozone layer.
00:41More satellites also mean a high risk of collisions, creating space debris that could endanger future astronauts.
00:48And for scientists on the ground, satellite light pollution is already ruining our view of deep space.
00:54So, private profit for companies, but environmental trade-offs for everyone else.
00:58To be fair, these satellite networks do deliver critical benefits.
01:02Better global internet for rural areas, real-time satellite data for precision farming, earlier disaster warnings for extreme weather.
01:10So, what do you think? Is this real progress or are we just polluting our orbit?
