SpaceX, NSF Agree to Mitigate Impact of Starlink Satellites on Ground-Based Astronomy

In November 2022, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) expressed concern about the impact of the recently launched prototype BlueWalker 3 satellite on astronomy.

The low Earth orbiting satellite launched by AST SpaceMobile on September 2022 has become one of the brightest objects in the night sky, outshining all but the brightest stars, posing a challenge for radio astronomy.

According to recent reports, SpaceX, the operator of the largest satellite constellation in the sky, is finally addressing the concerns mentioned prior regarding ground-based astronomy facilities.

Minimizing Starlink's Impact on Astronomy

SpaceX, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is launching and operating its satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit to provide high-speed internet to over 600,000 US locations. Despite delivering high-speed internet access in remote or underserved areas, the service's satellites may interfere with astronomical observatories on Earth.

ZDNet reports that SpaceX has agreed with NSF to lessen the effect of its Starlink broadband satellites on facilities for ground-based astronomy by addressing the brightness of Starlink satellites and its competing radio bands usage.

The NSF agreement also covers ways to guarantee that Starlink's orbital data is available to the general public so astronomers can plan observations around satellite positions.

Concerns about low-Earth orbit satellites disrupting astronomy continue to be communicated, as experts say commercial constellations, collectively numbering 400,000 LEO satellites by 2030, will cause even more interference.

The FCC approved SpaceX's 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites to launch in December 2022, far fewer than the 29,000 Gen2 Starlink constellation SpaceX aims for. Although the communications regulator approved the independent space agency's request, only about 25% of the original units were permitted.

As stated by the NSF, SpaceX's second-generation satellites now incorporate the following:

• Dielectric mirror film.
• Solar array mitigations.
• Black paint to reduce brightness and glints.
• Best practices for flight operations.

The company has also agreed to work with impacted US radio astronomy facilities to avoid primary beam illumination during observations at facilities such as the Very Large Array (VLA), Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), Green Bank Observatory (GBO), Arecibo Observatory (AO), and geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometric (VLBI).

More from the NSF Agreement

Reports tell us that the US Space Command's Laser Clearinghouse also ensures that lasers do not damage orbital assets. SpaceX has studied the impact of astronomy lasers on Starlink, which means that astronomers who use lasers will no longer need to coordinate with the Laser Clearinghouse.

The United States Laser Clearinghouse is an organization within the United States Air Force Strategic Command that provides predictive avoidance analysis and deconfliction with US and allied satellites and operations.

Furthermore, SpaceX has pledged to reduce the impact of Starlink on remote radio astronomy in polar regions when it provides connectivity in those areas.

"We are setting the stage for a successful partnership between commercial and public endeavors that allow important science research to flourish alongside satellite communication," said NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan.

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