Starlink Satellites Get Upgrades To Prevent Interference With Astronomy
SpaceX is working on several upgrades to the company’s Starlink satellites in an effort to prevent them from bothering astronomers.
The upgrades try to address how Starlink satellites can reflect sunlight as they orbit the Earth. This same light can accidentally photo-bomb astronomical observations, which has sparked concerns within the scientific community.
In response, SpaceX has been working with astronomers to develop ways to reduce the amount of sunlight Starlink satellites will reflect over the night sky. On Thursday, the company published a document(Opens in a new window) that outlines the upgrades, which involve altering some design elements to the Starlink satellites.
According to SpaceX, Starlink satellites can reflect sunlight when their orbit reaches the dark side of the “terminator,” the boundary between day and night. As a result, the satellites can be seen from the ground usually in the first several hours after dusk, or in the first several hours before dawn. This sunlight can pose a problem for astronomical research on comets and near-Earth asteroids, since these observations are often done during twilight hours.
One of SpaceX’s early attempts to solve the problem was to install a “sun visor” on the Starlink satellites capable of blocking the incoming sunlight from causing reflections. However, the company now says it's dumping the sun visors solution. One reason is because the visors can also block the “laser links” on Starlink satellites. The other is how the visors generate too much atmospheric drag, forcing the satellites to spend more fuel maintaining their orbits.
The company’s alternative solution involves using a mirror film on the satellites, which can scatter most of the reflected sunlight
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