An astronomer’s lament: Satellite megaconstellations are ruining space exploration
Since 2019, I’ve watched my unencumbered enthusiasm for rocket launches soften to tepid interest, and finally sour to outright dread.
- Since 2019, I’ve watched my unencumbered enthusiasm for rocket launches soften to tepid interest, and finally sour to outright dread.
- The final nail in the coffin for my love of rocket launches came with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite megaconstellations.
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Soon, 1 out of every 15 points of light in the sky will be a satellite
Crowded orbits
- SpaceX has launched thousands of their own Starlink communication satellites, as well as hundreds of satellites for their direct competitors.
- As an astronomer, I’m painfully aware of what these thousands of new satellites have done to the night sky worldwide.
- Starlink satellites are the most numerous and occupy some of the lowest orbits, so they make up the majority of the satellites seen in the sky.
Lost information and knowledge
- Astronomers are the canaries in the coal mine for this rapidly expanding experiment in orbit: we see these satellites increasingly affecting our research every day.
- I have watched over the past five years as satellite streaks in my own research images from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope have changed from an unusual occurrence to lost data in nearly every image.
- Astronomy is the only way to learn about the universe, the overwhelming majority of which can never be explored by humans.
- There are a handful of telescopes in Low Earth Orbit that also have to contend with light pollution from Starlink and other megaconstellations.
Government regulation needed
- Regulation on the number of satellites in orbit would force corporations toward technology improvements and service models that use fewer satellites, keeping orbit usable for future generations.
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It's not too late to save the night sky, but governments need to get serious about protecting itAsk your government representatives to support satellite regulation, and expansion of rural broadband.
- With proper regulation, our oldest form of space exploration can continue.
Samantha Lawler receives research funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.