Musk’s Starlink Internet Revolution Clouds Astronomers Space Research

Astronomers are increasingly concerned about the rapid proliferaton of Elon Musk’s Starlink internet satellites with unintended radiation leakages making it difficult for star gazers.

Light streaks have been a common concern for some time, but now radio signals from new satellites are causing further consternation.

Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) claim that second-generation, or “V2” Mini Starlink satellites release interference 32 times stronger than what emanated from previous models.

SpaceX-owned Starlink’s ‘constellation’ is made up of more than 6,400 satellites orbiting Earth at 550km, making up more than half of all satellites traversing the planet.

The satellite activity creates  radio noise, known as unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR).

Jessica Dempsey, a director at the Dutch organization, told the BBC that his radio noise is “blinding” their telescopes, frustrating key research into cosmic marvels such as black holes and galaxies.

Dempsey warned the situation is gradually getting worse, with SpaceX launching around 40 V2 satellites into orbit week on week.

In the race to provide global broadband coverage, some projections have estimated a total of 100,000 satellites in orbit by 2030, dwarfing the current figures and compounding problems for astronomers. They have challenged SpaceX regarding the issues with the first generation of satellites but the new V2’s have exacerbated the situation.

ASTRON is urging further scrutiny and stricter regulation from bodies like the International Telecommunications Union to improve the situation.

Last month, SpaceX commented on its efforts to steer radio emissions away from telescope line-of-sight, a technique known as the telescope boresight avoidance method.

It said in a statement, “SpaceX maintains an open invitation to other radio astronomy organizations from around the world to implement the approach to protect their important scientific research”.

Starlink Expands Its Reach Into the Middle East

Starlink available in Yemen! https://t.co/JC1abSA6F8

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 17, 2024

This week, Yemen became the first country in the Middle East to avail of Starlink’s internet satellites, which strives to provide a service to remote and underserved communities around the world.

Yemen has been besieged by a complex, civil war since 2014, representing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Starlink’s connection will provide a lifeline to services for the stricken population, while assisting international agencies.