This article explores the potential of satellites in constellations, such as the increasing number of satellites and the challenges in aiming for the stars.
Fremont, CA: Low Earth orbit was deserted when the Russians launched Sputnik 1, the first satellite, in 1957. After only six decades, the Earth's surrounding space has seen significant changes. At speeds close to 20,000 miles per hour, thousands of satellites zip about our planet at different heights. The Satellite Database maintained by the Union of Concerned Scientists indicates that approximately 3,000 of the over 11,000 satellite launches are presently in operation.
However, by the end of the decade, that number may be insignificant compared to the satellite population. By 2030, more than 100,000 satellites may circle the Earth, according to some estimates—an exponential rise that worries many scientists.
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The "satellite constellations," composed of several dozen or even hundreds of tiny spacecraft working together on a single mission, are expected to be the primary source of the sharp increase in satellite counts. The Starlink constellation from SpaceX, which provides internet connection to faraway locations, is the most well-known. Founder Elon Musk aims to launch tens of thousands of satellites one day; at the moment, the company has over 1,500 in orbit.
In addition to being placed there to facilitate communications, provide meteorological information, take pictures, conduct experiments, and more, they will share space with satellites from numerous businesses and countries. These satellite swarms might provide internet connectivity to isolated communities, allow scientists to monitor climate change with unprecedented accuracy, and do much more. However, they also make it more difficult for astronomers to observe the night sky and present new risks to manned space missions. Space will inevitably become more crowded shortly; the consequences of this remain to be seen.
The Perils of Aiming for the Stars
Several concerns are associated with an exponential growth in the quantity of metal boxes traveling through near-Earth orbit, some more evident than others. Some are from astronomers concerned about satellite swarms interfering with their profound space observations.
These worries were evident almost immediately after SpaceX started orbiting Starlink satellites. Numerous brilliant streaks obscured the sky in May 2019 while the Starlink spacecraft passed overhead, according to a shot at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona. The picture exaggerates a little bit because the satellites kept expanding after launch. However, it can be a sign of the crowd's arrival.
An increase in satellites may also result in an increase in radio frequency broadcasts throughout the environment. Astronomers observe the sky across a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio frequencies and visible light. Astronomers can view objects that might otherwise be veiled because radio waves can pass through materials like dust that block light. Radio telescopes have provided images of new galaxies, pulsars, quasars, and even the first-ever picture of a black hole.
Having more satellites overhead could also alter our world. According to a recent study, meteoroids may not reenter the upper atmosphere with as much metal as Starlink's satellites do. Some scientists worry that the additional metal could destroy the ozone layer, worsening environmental effects. It serves as a reminder of one of the core tenets of satellite operations: everything we launch into orbit will eventually return to Earth.
