SpaceX Internet Satellites Launched With Sunshades To Prevent Light Pollution

Low orbit satellites intended to bring internet connectivity to remote regions of the world are being launched in batches by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and a number of competitors. And while the hundreds, soon to become thousands, of small satellites orbiting the Earth are a huge economic boost for disconnected regions, they have making astronomers unhappy. There has been an outcry about the effect of the glare coming from constellations of recently launched near-orbit satellites.

However, the latest group of Starlink internet satellites launched by SpaceX last night have taken the complaints into consideration. They have been fitted with sunshades which should mean their glare no longer results in light pollution that disrupts the work of star gazers and anyone else who wants to enjoy the night sky.

It’s the second time SpaceX has been in the news in recent days after the private company established by Tesla boss Elon Musk flew two Nasa astronauts to the International Space Station over the weekend. It marked the first time American astronauts have made it into orbit on a USA-owned rocket in almost a decade. They have recently been left to hitch a ride on Russian rockets launching from Kazakhstan.

However, this week has seen SpaceX return to its near term priority of launching Starlink satellites into near orbit, with 60 released from a Falcon 9 rocket that took off from Florida yesterday.

The new satellites have each been fitted with a retractable visor that works like a windscreen shade to stop light from deflecting off the small craft and interfering with the work of astronomers back on Earth.

SpaceX commented:

“We also firmly believe in the importance of a natural night sky for all of us to enjoy. We have been working with leading astronomers around the world to better understand the specifics of their observations and engineering changes we can make to reduce satellite brightness.”

The 60 satellites launched this week takes the total number of Starlinks now in orbit to 480. SpaceX has permission for a ‘mega constellation’ that will eventually number up to 12,000. Beyond that, the plan is a total of 42,000 near orbit Starlink internet satellites, whose launch into orbit will cost a total of $10 billion over ten years. The first satellites were launched last year.

The satellites will, when enough are already in orbit, provide high-speed broad band internet coverage across the globe, serving remote regions that have either poor connectivity or no access to internet at all. SpaceX believes a ‘moderate service’ can commence once a total of 800 Starlinks are in position.

While there are no objections to achieving the goal of global internet connectivity, the reflectivity of the first batches of satellites launched, which to the naked eye look like a string of pearls strung across the night sky, has caused concern among astrologers. The light interferes with telescopes and has led to accusations a lack of regulation is seeing the Earth’s low orbit turned into a ‘Wild West’. A number of public reports of UFO sightings has also followed previous Starlink launches.

Among the observatories whose work has been most disrupted by the new near orbit satellites is the Vera C in Chile. The observatory is embarking upon a data collection programme starting in 2022 that means it needs to record video imagery of the night sky every few days. There are worries light pollution from the Starlink constellation could lessen the ability of its light detection instruments and make it much harder for astrologers to discover asteroids and supernovae.

However, SpaceX is showing a willingness to cooperate and find a solution to the glare issue. The company has been consulting with professional bodies including the UK’s Royal Astronomical Society and the American Astronomical Society and National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in the USA.

Dr Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, reported:

“We have had good conversations with them. These mega-constellations represent a step change in the number of satellites in orbit. When we have that much in the sky it’s going to have a direct impact. It’s a bit of a Wild West up there; the legislative framework has not caught up. All we can do is build up a framework for good behaviour and good practice, because international treaties take a long time.”

Previous efforts made by SpaceX this year to reduce glare have included dipping the satellites in a special blank paint that reduced their brightness by 55%. However, a side effect of that approach was that the satellites absorbed more radiation and suffered heating problems. Hopefully the new sunshades the latest batch launched have been fitted with will now do the trick and result in both global connectivity and uninterrupted star gazine.

Dr Massey said:

“We’ve just got to see what the outcome is, but certainly we welcome the engagement with SpaceX and the efforts they are making.”