How Starlink Satellites Are ‘Blinding’ Astronomers: The Need for Regulation

Introduction

• What everybody needs to know is that satellite systems and space technology have not stoodstill over decades and has been of great importance to the world at large especially in the fields of communication, navigation and Internet.
• Nevertheless, there is one rather representative example of such a project, which can be defined as Starlink Satellites internet constellation of the SpaceX of Elon Musk.
• Still, this mission is not without its drawback.these Starlink Satellites are a nuisance to astronomy, especially radio astronomy.
• Owing to this phenomenon, the space observing area has been experiencing higher interference from the increasing number of satellites being put in orbit hence demanding strict restrictions of satellite operators.

The Growing Starlink Constellation: Revolution or Trouble?

• Currently, there are more than 6 300 functioning satellites in Starlink constellation which is located at the orbit with the distance of 550 km.
• These are LEO satellites, which are aimed at broadcasting internet signals to the Earth to connect people from rural or partially-served relevant sections of the population to high-speed internet.
• Although this innovation is quite effective for connecting those who have not been connected all along, it causes a lot of “radio noise”, the Unintended Electromagnetic Radiation that hampers astronomers.
• While satellite communication is efficient for telephone and broadcasting purposes, the problem lies in the signals supplied by these satellites.
• These emissions interfere with current astronomical data that astronomers require in order to receive more extensive information about stars, galaxies and many other astronomical events.
• It is not only undesirable but also a must due to the rising number of satellites in space to provide conducive environment for diversification in space technology.

Why radio astronomy is important?

• Radio astronomy is a very large subfield of space astronomy, as It enables the astronauts to examine the space bodies with the help of the Radio waves instead of the light.
• By means of its capability to detect the light of objects that cannot even be seen with a given optical telescope. Radio waves have longer wavelengths and even lower frequencies therefore offer a special view on how the universe operates.
• For instance, radio stars or pulsars, quasi-stellar or quasars, residuary emissions of cosmic microwave background all of which fall in the category of radio astronomy that quantifies signals in radio band of spectrum.
• This is so because such objects and phenomena generate a lot of energy in the region of the infrared light.
• Therefore, one might claim that due to radio astronomy, the world does not transform into a cloak that is drawn over the people’s eyes as to the view of the universe.
• However, excess interference such as radio noises from satellites can ‘blind’ the delicate equipment used in radio telescopes just as bright lights stare the observer in the darkness. Dr. In a recent study, Cees Bassa from the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) described seeing a satellite moving across the sky as similar to trying to find the tiniest star while a full moon is present.
• Interference is a major concern mainly because it reduces the capabilities of the radio astronomers to get good data hence cuts down the probabilities of observing the universe.

How Satellites Are ‘Blinding’ Scientists

• The problem of satellite interference cannot be limited only to a few cases. Benjamin Winkel with the blessings of being a scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy said that using astronomical frequencies was like sitting in a very bright room and then someone turns on the light.
• Interference takes place because the functioning Starlink satellites provide radio waves that affect telescopes since the devices consist of receivers which are easily overloaded by the waves.
• Just as one cannot look at a faint object close to a light bulb, radio telescopes receive signals from space only when interrupted by interferences from satellites.

Starlink Satellites Second-Generation Satellites

• That is what the recent study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics was able to establish – the problem is only going to get worse.
• Phase2 of Starlink consists of satellites that are 32 times brighter than first-generation ones, comprising around one-third of the constellation.
• Although SpaceX has attempted to lessen the radio interference emanating from their first-generation Starlinks, the second generation appears to be reversing much of that.
• Simultaneously there is a coveted increase in UEMR and this poses huge concern to the radio astronomers because the sky is actually getting faint with each new satellite orbiting around it.
• According to Washington’s experts, if present trends persist, the situation could quickly get out of hand.
• In case of the continuation of the current tendencies by 2030 there could be from 50 thousand to 100 thousand satellites in the space when the risk of interferences increases notably.
• In fact, UNOOSA approximated the number of active satellites to be over eleven thousand and three hundred by June of 2023 and it is still foreseen to increase.

The Need for Satellite Regulation

• During the evolution of satellite technology, there are more and more voices for the regulation of satellite.
• Satellite emissions are, in contrast, a relatively uncontrolled form of electromagnetic radiation apart from ground-based sources such as cellphone towers and other electronic equipment.
• Paucity of supervision is a big issue, particularly when considering the trend of increasing satellite deployment in space.
• The existing laws on the electromagnetic interference from ground sources have prevail as effective measures in controlling radio pollution.
• For instance, there are legal limits on the level of RFI emissions in products such as mobile phones, televisions, and industrial machines.
• Currently there is no such law governing space based systems like Starlink.

Possible Solutions and Mitigating the Impact

• Altogether, the problem cannot be considered small, but it can be partially solved by implementing possible ways to reduce the interference of satellite constellations on radio astronomy. These include:
  • Shielding and Filtering: Enhancing the shielding and filtering techniques, which can be installed on satellite to minimize the level of UEMR. SpaceX has already tried to reduce the brightness of its first generation Starlink satellites to prove that it is capable of making upgrades.
  • Improved Satellite Design: The measures to reduce the emission of electromagnetic radiation in satellites are numerous, and every satellite system developer should consider them when designing a new system to reach these objectives.
  • Orbital Management: Having fewer satellites in space, or restricting the manner in which a particular satellite moves around the Earth. For example, the implementation of certain orbits for scientific use due to a given prohibition may help decrease interference.
  • International Collaboration: Developing conventions governing satellite uses and space launches in the same manner as air space and telecommunications are currently governed. Such institutions as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) could be of most value in the organization of such attempts.

Conclusion:

• Open satellite constellies such as Starlink and their counterparts remain without a doubt a revolution in the dissemination of internet around the world, particularly for oppressed communities.
• However, the unintended consequences for radio astronomy are quite serious and deserve attention right now. It is a progression between technology and our ability to observe the universe and therefore the future of astronomical research.
• Because the space industry is progressing further simultaneously, it is desirable that the competent authorities coordinate the efforts with satellite operators in search of such solutions to mitigate interference with mutually beneficial effects as can be had with satellite internet.
• It takes cohesive and sensible management for the night sky to continue to hold its value of being an effective platform for discovery in the future.

FAQS

1. What is Starlink, and why are astronomers concerned about it?
Ans: Starlink is a satellite internet constellation launched by SpaceX, designed to provide high-speed internet globally, especially in remote areas. However, astronomers are concerned because the satellites emit unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR), which interferes with radio telescopes and affects astronomical research.

2. How does Starlink interfere with radio astronomy?
Ans: Starlink satellites emit radio noise, which can saturate the sensitive receivers used in radio telescopes. This noise makes it difficult for astronomers to observe faint radio signals from distant celestial objects, similar to being “blinded” by bright light while stargazing.

3. Why is radio astronomy important?
Ans: Radio astronomy allows scientists to study celestial phenomena that emit radio waves, such as pulsars, quasars, and cosmic microwave background radiation. It helps us understand the universe beyond what is visible through optical telescopes.

4. What is UEMR (Unintended Electromagnetic Radiation)?
Ans: UEMR refers to the excess electromagnetic radiation emitted by electronic devices, including satellites, which is not part of their intended function. In the case of Starlink, UEMR is causing interference with radio frequencies used by astronomers.