Scientists analyze 76 million radio telescope images, find Starlink satellite interference ‘where no signals are supposed to be present’
There is no doubt that SpaceX’s Internet Starlink Internet service connected the world like never before – but at what price? Astronomers have long expressed concerns concerning the Satellite constellation of Starlink interfering with the observations of the universe, and a new survey of Curtin university confirms these fears.
An analysis of 76 million images of a prototype station for the Kilometer Square Radiotelescope (SKA) has found starlic liaison satellite emissions assigned up to 30% of images in certain data sets; Such interference could affect the research results that depend on this data. The survey has identified more than 112,000 radio emissions of 1,806 star liaison satellites, and found that the UCH of observed interference is not intentional.
“Some satellites have been detected by issuing in bands where no signal is supposed to be present, like the 703 satellites that we have identified at 150.8 MHz, which are intended to be protected for radio-astronomy,” said Dylan Grigg, a doctorate. The candidate of Curtin University, said in a statement.
Grigg noted that these involuntary emissions could come from electronics on board. “Because … they are not part of an intentional signal, astronomers cannot easily predict or filter them,” he said.
While the International Telecommunications Union regulates satellite emissions to protect astronomical observations, current rules “focus on intentional transmissions and do not cover this type of involuntary program”, said Steven Tingay, professor of Curtin and Executive Director of the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy.
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However, it is not only Starlink satellites that are the problem. The study team survey focused on Starlink because it currently has the most extensive constellation, with more than 7,000 satellites deployed at the time of the survey, but other satellite networks can also “flee” involuntary transmissions.
“It is important to note that Starlink does not violate the current regulations, so do nothing wrong. The discussions we had with SpaceX on the subject were constructive,” said Tingay. “We hope that this study will add support to international efforts to update policies that regulate the impact of this technology on research on radio-astronomy currently underway.”
The team’s research was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
