My name is Charles F. Konkle. At 84 years old and living with Parkinson’s disease, I am a living example of what this site is named for — a “fading spark.”
For many years I have been deeply concerned about the current state of physics and the scientific community’s handling of fundamental unknowns — dark matter, dark energy, quantum phenomena, and emerging concepts such as Snap Points in complex systems. Too often, important thresholds and long-term risks are underestimated or ignored until it is too late.
This same pattern of underestimation is now playing out in near-Earth space and across the solar system.
I started Fading Sparks because I am deeply concerned about the rapidly growing orbital debris problem and the lack of truly independent public monitoring. While governments and private companies race to fill space with thousands of satellites, the long-term risks to all of humanity — and to our future expansion across the solar system — are being dangerously under-estimated.
The Artificial Snap Index (ASI) and this monitoring platform are my attempt to provide transparent, ongoing, publicly accessible data that belongs to everyone — not to any government or corporation. My goal is to help reveal emerging “snap points” before they become irreversible crises.
Creating and maintaining this website has become a mission that now exceeds my personal physical and financial capacity. As a retiree on a fixed and significantly reduced income, I can no longer carry the full load of research, monthly updates, archiving, and technical maintenance by myself.
That is why I am reaching out for help.
Fading Sparks needs younger energy, technical skills, and fresh commitment to grow into the lasting public resource it is meant to be. I am especially hoping to connect with university students and early-career professionals in physics, aerospace engineering, data science, web development, environmental science, or anyone who cares about protecting humanity’s future in space.
Even modest contributions make a real difference: helping with monthly ASI data updates, website maintenance, research, graphic design, archiving, or simply spreading awareness. No contribution is too small. If you have time, skills, or passion for this cause, I warmly invite you to join me.
To get involved, please contact me directly at: [email protected]
Together, we can ensure these sparks do not fade — for our children, grandchildren, and all future generations who deserve safe access to space and a better understanding of the universe around us.
Thank you for visiting Fading Sparks.
Charles F. Konkle Founder, Fading Sparks