Extract from ABC News
Australia is lucky to have some of the darkest skies in the world, but that is rapidly changing.
Key points:
- For the first time, scientists have proof Starlink satellites are interfering in their studies of the universe
- In the coming decade it is predicted somewhere there will be between 100,000 and 500,000 more objects in space
- Regulation is struggling to keep up with the rapid advancements in space technology
Thousands of satellites can be seen at night circling the globe, with many of them there to improve how we communicate on Earth, and that number is predicted to explode in coming years.
Scientists, looking deep into space, have been voicing their concerns that these satellites are encroaching on their ability to study the cosmos.
They are also concerned that regulation is not keeping pace with the increased amount of activity in space.
They say that could have significant consequences for systems relying on satellites, like telecommunication and GPS.
Now for the first time, research has shown that the telecommunication Starlink constellation, part of Elon Musk's SpaceX division, is interfering in their work.
In a study, published in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal, scientists used a powerful telescope in the Netherlands to observe 68 of SpaceX's satellites and detected emissions from satellites are drifting out of their allocated band, up in space.
Federico Di Vruno, co-director of the International Astronomical Union Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky and one of the authors of the study, says the finding is significant given the growing numbers of satellites orbiting in the sky.
"Why this matters is because of the number," Dr Di Vruno said.
"Suppose that there is a satellite in space that radiates this kind of signal, there is a very, very small chance that this satellite will be in the beam, in the main site, of your telescope.
"But if the numbers start to increase, the likelihood of that happening if all the satellites are similar starts to increase."
A sky full of satellites
International law expert Steven Freeland told the ABC that in the coming decade, there will be somewhere between 100,000 and 500,000 more objects in space.
"The fact remains that space is becoming ever more crowded, particularly in areas that we know is low-Earth orbit — somewhere between 500 kilometres to about 1,000 kilometres or so above the Earth," he said.
"That's where many of these satellites will go."
Scientists are concerned that regulation is struggling to keep up with record number of satellites being launched into space with some describing it as the Wild West.
For astrophysicist Robin Cook, increased satellite activity has been a hindrance to his work, appearing like midges in the frame when he takes photos of deep space.
"You can imagine that if you've got this big telescope that's looking at the very furthest parts of the universe, and you have these things flying in your face."
And this interference is exactly what concerns Dr Di Vruno.
He is also the spectrum manager for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, an international collaboration of scientists that are building cutting-edge radio telescopes in South Africa and the Murchison Shire in Western Australia to deepen understanding of the Universe.
"So, when these constellations start to get larger and larger, and you know, Starlink at the moment has a large number of satellites, but there are plans of having much, much larger constellations from many other countries," Dr Di Vruno said.
This is the first time scientists have used a very sensitive telescope to look precisely at satellites as they are passing to measure their emissions.
But Dr Di Vruno said although emissions from the Starlink satellites were unintended, the problem is not one covered by current space regulation.
"The regulation for this is not very clear," he said.
"For this unintended radiation there is no regulation in space."
"If you think [about] our electrical equipment at home; each device — if it radiates signals — you make sure when you connect it in your house it doesn't interfere with all of the other electrical equipment."
"You may be familiar with the CE mark [RCM mark in Australia] all these marks that TVs have or the fridge those are very stringent."
"On Earth whatever electrical equipment you buy has some very stringent tests. On Earth it's very clear.
"Satellite providers, satellite designers don't really look into that."
SKAO are now in discussion with Starlink about what can be done about the interference caused by its satellites.
Starlink has been contacted for comment.
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