Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellites ‘Blocking’ View Of The Universe

Radio waves from Elon Musk’s expanding network of Starlink satellites are obstructing scientists’ ability to explore the universe, according to researchers in the Netherlands.

The new generation of Starlink satellites, which provide high-speed internet globally, are causing more interference with radio telescopes than their predecessors, they report.

The Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) has raised concerns about the thousands of orbiting satellites “blinding” radio telescopes and potentially hindering astronomical research. “Every time more of these are launched with these kinds of emission levels, we see less and less of the sky,” said Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON.

Professor Dempsey elaborated on the impact, stating, “We’re trying to look at things like the jets, which are emitted from black holes in the centre of galaxies. We also look at some of the earliest galaxies, millions and millions of light years away, as well as exoplanets.” She highlighted that the interference from the second generation, or V2, satellites was found to be 32 times stronger than the first generation.

The amount of radiation emitted by these satellites exceeds regulations set by the International Telecommunications Union, added Professor Dempsey, reported The BBC.

ASTRON’s study, conducted using the LOFAR radio telescope in the Netherlands, found unintended electromagnetic radiation from almost all the V2 Starlink satellites observed.

SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, has not responded to a request for comment.

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