Science

Jim__

(15,327 posts) Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:19 PM Saturday

Planned 1.7 million satellites 'devastating' for astronomy: Study

Extremely bright satellites pose an 'existential threat' to our ability to observe the universe, astronomers warn.

The 1.7 million satellites that companies are aiming to launch into Earth's orbit in the coming years will have "devastating consequences for astronomy," new research warned Wednesday.

The plans to swarm Earth with huge, extremely bright satellites represent an "existential threat" to telescopes viewing the universe, according to the European Southern Observatory (ESO), which conducted the research.

To retain humanity's ability to properly explore the night sky, the team of researchers called for a maximum limit of 100,000 satellites orbiting Earth.

The study is the first to calculate how much the constellations of big and particularly bright satellites being planned would affect astronomical observations by making the night sky brighter.

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Planned 1.7 million satellites 'devastating' for astronomy: Study (Original Post) Jim__ Saturday OP

Damn the telescopes! Launch the satellites! erronis Saturday #1

Because we need more tools to systematically trash whatever remains of the wilderness... hunter Saturday #2

Not mentioned in the article BWdem4life Yesterday #3

Reflect Orbital Tasmanian Devil 11 hrs ago #4

erronis

(25,099 posts)

1. Damn the telescopes! Launch the satellites!

Reply to Jim__ (Original post)

Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:24 PM

Saturday

What do the entrepreneurs who look at yearly market analyses care about 10 or 20 years down the road?

Besides, they're thinking they'll be hired to clean up their messes (which they won't do.)

hunter

(40,976 posts)

2. Because we need more tools to systematically trash whatever remains of the wilderness...

Reply to Jim__ (Original post)

Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:45 PM

Saturday

... and eyes in the sky to watch everyone on the planet.

BWdem4life

(3,162 posts)

3. Not mentioned in the article

Reply to Jim__ (Original post)

Sun Jul 5, 2026, 02:56 AM

Yesterday

Wouldn’t this make it impossible to find and track objects that could physically impact the planet? Difficult enough as it is right now.

Tasmanian Devil

(287 posts)

4. Reflect Orbital

Reply to Jim__ (Original post)

Sun Jul 5, 2026, 03:42 PM

11 hrs ago

I'd not heard of Reflect Orbital before, I'm gobsmacked:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/giant-mirrors-in-space-could-bring-sunlight-after-dark-one-startup-says-and-astronomers-are-concerned-180987781/

The company, called Reflect Orbital, intends to launch thousands of satellites sporting reflective panels—giant space mirrors, essentially—into low-Earth orbit, to redirect the sun’s light onto the night side of our planet. The company says this extra sunlight can be used to power solar arrays, assist with search and rescue work, and even fight seasonal depression by extending daylight. Reflect Orbital has applied to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a license, saying it plans to begin launching these satellites as early as next year.

WTF. Just say no! What a ridiculous, obscene, terrible idea.

And at this rate we should be planning for the end of LEO ... low Earth orbit will become useless (Kessler syndrome, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome)

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