Satellite constellations like Starlink are causing radio interference and optical photobombing issues for astronomers due to poorly designed antennas and spectrum leaks. While regulations are evolving to mitigate these problems, hardware updates and better standards are needed to ensure coexistence between scientific and commercial satellite uses, with ongoing efforts to improve antenna design and spectrum management.
A new NASA-led study warns that the increasing number of communication satellites in low Earth orbit could significantly interfere with space telescopes like Hubble, with nearly 40% of Hubble's images and up to 96% of other telescopes' images potentially affected by satellite light pollution, prompting calls for mitigation strategies.
The Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, set to revolutionize sky surveys with its large camera and wide field of view, faces significant challenges from the increasing number of bright satellites from mega-constellations like Starlink, which threaten to obscure and contaminate astronomical images. Despite developing techniques to mitigate satellite streaks, the growing satellite population could still impact the observatory's scientific output, prompting calls for darker satellites and innovative solutions to preserve the integrity of ground-based astronomy.
SpaceX's Starlink satellites are emitting radio signals that interfere with radio telescopes, potentially hindering astronomical research, especially studies of the early universe. Nearly 2,000 satellites have been found leaking signals that outshine natural space sources, prompting calls for regulatory action and hardware adjustments to mitigate interference. The issue raises concerns as more satellite networks are planned, which could further disrupt low-frequency space observations.
Astronomers and satellite megaconstellations are learning to coexist as companies like SpaceX and Amazon work with the astronomy community to mitigate the impact of megaconstellations on optical and radio astronomy. Efforts include design changes to reduce satellite brightness and voluntary cooperation with industry, but lack of regulations remains a concern. While progress has been made, the issue of satellite interference with astronomy is still in its early stages, with astronomers and spacecraft engineers striving for coexistence while addressing the challenges posed by megaconstellations.
The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) is developing techniques to mitigate satellite interference as it copes with increased satellite traffic, particularly in the bands used for its observations. The project's head of data operations, Dr. Matthew Whiting, highlighted concerns about the impact of satellite signals on ASKAP's operations and discussed efforts to predict and mitigate interference. ASKAP's use of Pawsey's "Setonix" supercomputer has also presented challenges due to the project's high data rate, producing four terabytes an hour at its peak.
The Hubble Space Telescope's images are increasingly being spoiled by satellites, but researchers at the Space Telescope Science Institute have developed new software to mitigate the issue and remove the troublesome satellites from photos. The new tool identifies satellite trails in photos captured by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys using an image analysis technique called “Radon Transform.” The software is up to ten times more sensitive than prior software and identifies “roughly twice” as many trails as its previous studies.
