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Researchers in the Netherlands have raised concerns that radio waves from Elon Musk’s expanding satellite network are interfering with their ability to observe the universe, hampering astronomical research.
The new iteration of Starlink satellites, which offers faster internet worldwide, is reportedly creating more disruptions for radio telescopes than previous versions, according to scientists.
According to the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), the multitude of satellites in orbit is causing significant interference by “blinding” radio telescopes, which may be impairing important astronomical investigations.
The press has not received a reply from SpaceX regarding its request for comment on the effects of Starlink satellites.
Providing broadband internet worldwide, the satellites serve even the most remote and difficult locations, including regions like Ukraine and Yemen.
The satellites provide broadband internet around the world, often to remote places, including challenging environments like Ukraine and Yemen.
In addition to their global coverage, these satellites connect remote parts of the UK with high-speed internet. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport reported that tests in 2022 showed Starlink providing internet speeds up to four times faster than the average.
“Every time more of these are launched with these kinds of emission levels, we see less and less of the sky,” Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, told BBC News.
“We’re trying to look at things like the jets, which are emitted from black holes in the centre of galaxies. We also look at some of the earliest galaxies, millions and millions of light years away, as well as exoplanets,” she said, highlighting the areas the satellite radiation is affecting.
Interference from the second generation, ASTRON found that interference from the second generation, or V2, satellites is 32 times greater than that from the original first-generation satellites.
Prof. Dempsey noted that the level of radiation emitted by these satellites surpasses the limits established by the International Telecommunications Union, the industry’s regulatory body.
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It is estimated that there are currently 6,402 Starlink satellites orbiting Earth at approximately 342 miles (550 km) above the surface, making it the leading provider in terms of satellite numbers. These satellites feature sizable 3-meter flat panels and an 8-meter solar array for power.
While OneWeb, SpaceX’s main competitor, has under 1,000 satellites in orbit, the market is expanding quickly. Amazon is working on its satellite network and aims to launch at least 3,000 satellites in the next few years. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of satellites in space will surpass 100,000.
The study, conducted using the LOFAR radio telescope in the Netherlands, focused on a single day in July this year. A wide range of celestial objects, including distant galaxies and planets, emit radiation that spans the electromagnetic spectrum.
