ESO Warns 1.7 Million Proposed Satellites Could Devastate Astronomy, Brightening Skies 4-Fold
Updated
Updated · ESO.org · Jul 1
ESO Warns 1.7 Million Proposed Satellites Could Devastate Astronomy, Brightening Skies 4-Fold
3 articles · Updated · ESO.org · Jul 1
Summary
1.7 million proposed satellites would push orbital traffic far beyond what astronomy can tolerate, with ESO saying the total should stay below 100,000 faint satellites to protect modern observations.
The study found satellite trails and diffuse light would both degrade data: SpaceX’s planned fleet could cut some VLT images by up to 28%, while slightly brighter satellites could render many Rubin Observatory images unusable for hours.
Reflect Orbital’s planned 50,000 mirror-like satellites would be especially disruptive, making the sky up to three to four times brighter overall; a beam-pointing satellite could appear four times brighter than the full Moon.
More than 14,000 satellites already orbit Earth, and ESO said filings by SpaceX and Reflect Orbital are now before the U.S. FCC, which has received roughly 1,800 comments on Reflect Orbital and nearly 1,500 on SpaceX.
ESO framed the issue as an existential threat to ground-based astronomy that could also hinder detection of faint galaxies, Earth-like planets and potentially hazardous asteroids.
Will corporate plans for 1.7 million satellites permanently erase our view of the cosmos?
Who decides the fate of the night sky in the race for satellite supremacy?
The Existential Threat of Satellite Megaconstellations: How Millions of New Satellites Could Destroy the Night Sky, Science, and Earth's Environment
Overview
The night sky is facing an unprecedented and existential threat due to the rapid proliferation of satellite megaconstellations. Astronomy advocacy groups are urgently warning that these proposed constellations, led by companies like SpaceX and Reflect Orbital, could permanently alter the sky and even 'turn night into day.' This poses a serious risk to optical astronomy, as highlighted by experts such as Betty Kioko from the European Southern Observatory. Both SpaceX and Reflect Orbital have filed plans with the FCC for massive new constellations and are currently awaiting approval to launch their ambitious projects, raising concerns about the future of astronomical research and our view of the cosmos.