Scientists have discovered that the latest generation of Starlink satellites emit radiation leaks up to 30 times higher than those of older models. This alarming finding raises concerns about the potential environmental and technological impacts of these advanced satellites.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk attends a SpaceX event in Texas in 2022. The private company has sent thousands of its Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit to create a constellation that provides high-speed internet. But, the satellites could interfere with astronomy, scientists have said. ((Photo by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images))
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are causing significant disruption in Earth’s orbit and severely hindering astronomers’ ability to observe distant planets and stars, scientists have revealed to The Independent.
The European Low-Frequency Array radio telescope network (LOFAR), which has been studying distant objects like black holes and exoplanets since 2012, is now struggling due to increased radio wave emissions from Starlink.
In the five years since SpaceX began launching these satellites, the interference has intensified. “Last year, we noticed interference signals in the sky and traced them back to some of the first-generation Starlink satellites orbiting Earth,” said Jessica Dempsey, scientific and general director of the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, in an interview with The Independent on Thursday.
An image taken by Europe’s LOFAR radio telescope, shows the longest known pair of black hole jets. The findings were reported on Thursday, and are just a part of the telescope’s capabilities. But, the telescope is picking up interference from Starlink satellite radiation emissions. ((LOFAR Collaboration/Martijn Oei/Caltech via AP))
SpaceX now boasts a massive constellation of over 6,000 satellites orbiting Earth, delivering high-speed internet access to nearly every corner of the globe. This expansive network is revolutionizing global connectivity, making the internet more accessible than ever before.
Starlink satellites have been emitting unintended electromagnetic radiation, which LOFAR astronomers initially believed to stem from faulty batteries. Last year, they discussed mitigation strategies with SpaceX and were hopeful the issue would be resolved, according to Jessica Dempsey.
However, when astronomers attempted observations in July, they discovered that the interference had worsened, with SpaceX’s new Starlink V2 Mini satellites causing even more disruption. Since then, SpaceX has launched even more satellites into orbit.
“Starlink emissions were now over 30 times higher, and it wasn’t just a few—it was all of them. Frankly, we were shocked,” Dempsey remarked. She added, “The brightness of these new satellites in this particular frequency band is about 10 million times brighter than the objects we’re observing. It’s like trying to view a faint star in a dark sky, only to have the full moon suddenly rise right next to it.”
A visualisation by the European Space Agency of satellites in Earth’s orbit. The majority of the satellites are a part of the SpaceX Starlink constellation. Satellite tracking website “Orbiting Now” is tracking more than 7,800 in low-Earth orbit on Thursday. (ESA)
SpaceX declined to comment when approached by The Independent.
What’s most alarming, according to Dempsey, is that the issue is rapidly worsening. “They’re launching 40 of these ‘full moons’ every week,” she said, referencing the intense emissions from Starlink satellites. “Right now, there are about 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, but the goal is to launch 100,000 in total.”
Dempsey warned, “Imagine 100,000 full moons in the sky. At that point, we can truly say goodbye to any kind of ground-based astronomy.”
SpaceX founder Elon Musk attends a SpaceX event in Texas in 2022. The private company has sent thousands of its Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit to create a constellation that provides high-speed internet. But, the satellites could interfere with astronomy, scientists have said. ((Photo by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images))
Dempsey and her colleagues recently published their findings in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, revealing that nearly all of the Starlink satellites they observed were emitting electromagnetic radiation. This unintended radiation poses a serious threat to astronomical observations, further complicating efforts to study the universe from Earth.
Dempsey emphasized that the goal of the astronomy community isn’t to ask companies to eliminate satellites but rather to ensure they operate within the established guidelines, allowing scientific observations to continue.
“The UN has regulations protecting specific frequency bands, designed to enable astronomy to carry out its work,” Dempsey explained. “The real issue is whether those regulations are enforced by anyone with the authority to do so.”
