Beyond Earth’s Edge: Balancing Privacy and Surveillance in the Next Generation of Satellite Mesh Networks

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New low-Earth orbit mesh networks promise near-instant connectivity and real-time sensor fusion across continents, but they also raise formidable questions about metadata collection, hidden surveillance vectors, and the ethical boundaries of space-based data gathering. As regulators and technologists race to establish norms, satellite operators and end users must weigh the rewards of universal coverage against the risks to individual privacy.